BRANDON, MB — James Ehnes, the internationally acclaimed violinist who was born and raised in Brandon, makes a pre-Christmas appearance in Brandon. Joining him on the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium stage are two musical colleagues — ‘cellist Robert deMaine and pianist Andrew Armstrong.
A protégé of Francis Chaplin, Ehnes first came to the Canadian public’s attention at the age of 13 when he performed as a soloist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Since then, the Juilliard graduate has been globetrotting, performing on this continent, in Europe, Asia and Australia. With more than 20 recordings to his credit and numerous Juno Awards, a Grammy and a Gramophone, Ehnes has been recognized for his technical mastery and his sensitive yet powerful interpretations. He plays the “Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715, on loan from the Fulton Collection.
The New York Times hailed deMaine as “an artist who makes one hang on every note.” Introduced to the cello at the age of four by his mother and his sister, both of whom are proficient ‘cellists, he has performed extensively as a soloist, an orchestra principal and a chamber musician in venues around the globe. Early on in his career, deMaine won many competitions including the Naftzger String Competition, the Corpus Christi International String Competition, and the American String Teachers Association’s New York Solo Competition. Also an avid composer, he has participated in the Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Summer Festival, an event of which Ehnes is the Associate Artistic Director.
Another performer of international renown, Armstrong has given solo recitals as well as has appeared with American, Asian, European and Latin American orchestras. A member of the Caramoor Virtuosi at the Caramoor International Music Festival and a member of the Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players in New York City, he interprets Baroque to 20th-century repertoire. He also dedicates some of his time to music programs for children and has had his performances broadcast on National Public Radio and WQXR, New York’s foremost classical station. Armstrong is also a regular performer during the Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Summer Festival.
The Ehnes Trio has programmed works by Ravel and Tchaikovsky for this special performance.
The pro series plus concert featuring violinist James Ehnes, ‘cellist Robert deMaine and pianist Andrew Armstrong will take place at 8 p.m., on Monday, December 20, in the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.
The next pro series performance will feature the talented faculty members of the School of Music, on January 11, 2011, in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, in the School of Music at Brandon University.
Tickets for the Ehnes Trio performance are $25 each for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students. Tickets can be bought at the WMCA box office or online at wmca.ca.
The pro series and the School of Music gratefully acknowledge the generous support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council and of the Province of Manitoba, through a Consolidated Arts Programming Grant from Culture, Heritage and Tourism.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communication Officer
Brandon University
P: (204) 727-9762
communications@brandonu.ca
Contact
- Brandon University
- communications@brandonu.ca
To receive any BU publication in an alternate format please contact Communications@BrandonU.ca
About BU
Success is built at Brandon University. Our growing, progressive campus welcomes a diverse and inclusive community that combines proud tradition with shared ambition. Through our excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, we educate students to make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Join us at BrandonU.ca.