Acclaimed violinist James Ehnes is treating himself to a pre-holiday season break by performing with some of his favorite musicians in a special Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota program.
“James Ehnes and Friends” will feature Ehnes, a Sarasota-based musician, alongside his longtime friend and collaborator, pianist Orion Weiss, as they perform Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata. Additionally, Ehnes will join a chamber ensemble for Tchaikovsky’s string sextet “Souvenir de Florence.”
The sextet will include Daniel Jordan, concertmaster of the Sarasota Orchestra and director of artistic planning for the Artist Series, violist Stephanie Block, Nathan Frantz (a close friend of Ehnes), and cellists Natalie Helm and Bjorn Ranheim.
Speaking by phone from Seattle, where he was preparing for a performance with the Seattle Chamber Music Society, which he leads as artistic director, Ehnes shared that the Sarasota program on Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. offers him an opportunity to play some of his favorite pieces with talented musicians and friends.
Weiss, who is also joining Ehnes in Seattle for a series of Beethoven performances, has been a key musical partner for Ehnes. “Orion, as a pianist of the highest level, is one of the greats in the world. Beyond that, he has a special approach to music that has always resonated with me,” Ehnes said. “Playing with people who make music fun brings new perspectives. From our very first performance together, it felt like a perfect match.”
Regarding the Kreutzer Sonata, which inspired a novel by Leo Tolstoy, Ehnes noted that it is “probably the most famous and beloved of Beethoven’s 10 violin sonatas. It’s an incredibly dramatic and exciting piece, deserving of its place in the violin-piano repertoire.”
Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence” is equally close to Ehnes’ heart. He described it as “highly virtuosic, one of the most enjoyable pieces in the chamber music repertoire. It’s fun to play and listen to—a true tour de force, much like Tchaikovsky’s symphonies are for the orchestra. It’s written so well for the instruments.”
Ehnes will arrive in Sarasota after performing for three nights with the Naples Philharmonic, including a performance of Tchaikovsky’s sextet with a different group of musicians. He decided to add the Artist Series concert to his schedule because it allowed him to be close to home and share music with friends.
“I had planned to be on vacation, but then Dan asked, ‘Do you want to do this?’ and I realized this would be more enjoyable than any vacation. At this stage in my life, I love playing music and being busy. I enjoy making music with great friends and colleagues,” Ehnes said.
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