In Conversation with Canadian Violinist James Ehnes
When Canadian virtuoso violinist James Ehnes steps on to the stage with the Calgary Philharmonic on November 30 to perform Johannes Brahms Violin Concerto, he’ll be setting bow to string on a piece that he has played for over three decades. Yet, despite his familiarity with this staple of the violin repertoire, he says he still feels a great ‘responsibility’ in how he conveys the work to audiences. The JUNO and Grammy Award-winning musician took time from his busy schedule to discuss why that is, along few other points of interest ahead of his appearance in Calgary.
You’ve performed with orchestras around the world, but as a Canadian, what does it mean to you to be performing this piece in Western Canada?
It’s always special to be in Western Canada. I’m from Western Manitoba, but I think that everyone from Calgary through Winnipeg maybe feels a certain kinship. I've been playing in Calgary for at least 25 years, and the community has always been so supportive. Having the support of wonderful orchestras like the Calgary Philharmonic early in my career meant a very great deal to me and continues to mean a great deal to me. It is a special feeling to perform in Canada in general and considering that Calgary feels part of my general home, that's special, too.
You play a Stradivarius violin. I'm personally fascinated by the history and the lineage of these instruments. What does it mean to you?
Well, to be honest, I'm sort of two minds with it, because on the one hand it’s kind of a cool thing to know that you’re working intimately with a tool that has such a fascinating history. The history of my particular violin is not as known as some but in a way that becomes an opportunity for conjecture: ‘I wonder who played on this? How many times has the Brahms concerto been played on this violin?’ Things like that. But in another very real sense, the fact that it is old and that Stradivarius instruments have become so valuable is a frustration, because that's not the reason that one uses it.
““The reason that his instruments became so coveted was their potential for musical creativity.””
There is so much capacity for beauty, for variety of colour and shading and dynamics. It’s a wonderful performer’s tool, and, in most ways, it would sure be a lot easier and more convenient if one had access to that level of a performer’s tool without all the financial and historical baggage that goes along with it.
Ultimately what inspires me about my violin is that I feel that it opens up so many possibilities for refinement of expression. That really keeps me inspired to keep practicing and trying to get better. It's a humbling thing to practice every day and work every day and still feel like you could probably be a little better, and the greatest instruments inspire that thought, I think.
Is there anything that you're specifically hoping that audiences will take away from your performance?
The thing that that I guess I always hope for is that the audience will come away loving the piece as much as I do. I know what [the Brahms Violin Concerto] has meant to me in my life, and that's a very, very great deal. It's a big responsibility to be brought in to try to make however many hundreds of people love the piece as much as I do, and I hope that I can do that. I hope that I can communicate that message in such a way that people will come out of it feeling as I do that this art form is wonderful and a reflection of the best parts of human nature. It’s something that needs to be fostered and protected and grown.
Interview by Charlotte Lilley
On Stage with James Ehnes premieres November 30, 2024 at 7:30pm in the Jack Singer Concert Hall. FInd out more and get your tickets at calgaryphil.com.
