James Ehnes @ Clarice Smith

Charles T. Downey, Violinist James Ehnes and pianist Orion Weiss display vital chemistry at Clarice Smith (Washington Post, March 8, 2014)

Prokofiev, Complete Works for Violin, J. Ehnes (Chandos, 2013)

Among the leading violinists performing today, James Ehnes seems to fly under the radar. Because of his recordings and past performances in the Washington area, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra, the Canadian violinist is one not to miss. Yet his accomplished recital Thursday night, at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at Maryland, did not fill the small Gildenhorn Recital Hall, an indication perhaps that Ehnes’s musicianship outstrips his attention-grabbing notoriety, entirely to his credit.

Aaron Copland’s “Sonata for Violin and Piano” was cool and airy, playing perhaps too much into the immaculate quality of tone Ehnes produced on his 1715 “Marsick” Stradivarius. The piece is a little snoozy, and Ehnes gave it no sizzle. [Continue reading]

James Ehnes (violin) and Orion Weiss (piano)
Copland, Sonata for Violin and Piano
Grieg, Violin Sonata No. 2
Schubert, Fantasy in C major
Clarice Smith Center

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Bartók | Paganini | Strads

BSO: 2011 | 2009 | 2007
Philadelphia Orchestra: 2012