By Jane Fox
One of the most sought-after violinists on the international stage, James Ehnes, will come straight from Carnegie Hall to join New Canaan Chamber Music’s stunning new season on Tuesday. October 28 at 3 pm and Wednesday, October 29 at 7 pm with Andrew Armstrong, Virtuoso Pianist and Artistic Director.
The concerts will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan at 178 Oenoke Ridge. Tickets are available at www.newcanaanchambermusic.org.
Gifted with a rare combination of stunning virtuosity, serene lyricism and an unfaltering musicality, Ehnes is a favorite on the world’s most famous concert halls. He thrilled the audience here in October 2021, when he opened New Canaan Chambre Music’s very first concert and now returns to celebrate their 5th anniversary season. Ehnes and Armstrong have a long history as friends and musical duo partners.
The program will delight both the classical music connoisseur and the curious with favorite violin sonatas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, J.S. Bach, and Maurice Ravel performed solo by Ehnes and duo with Armstrong. Some “short” and beloved pieces include Three Preludes for Piano Solo” by George Gershwin.
Ehnes’ recent and upcoming orchestral highlights include the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, NHK Symphony, LA Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Cleveland Orchestra. During the 2025-26 season, Ehnes will also embark on his 50th birthday recital tour in his native Canada, with performances in every province and territory. A devoted chamber musician, Ehnes is the Artistic Director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society and the leader of the Ehnes Quartet. As a recitalist, he performs regularly at Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Symphony Center Chicago, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Verbier Festival, Dresden Music Festival and Festival de Pâques in Aix.
Armstrong has been praised by critics for his passionate expression and dazzling technique, and his orchestral
engagements across the globe have encompassed a vast repertoire of more than 60 concertos with orchestra. Throughout the year, in addition to New Canaan Chamber Music, Armstrong directs and hosts six thriving chamber music series, three of which are in South Carolina. In October 2025, he launched a new chamber music festival in Tuscany, Italy, featuring a selection of the world’s great instrumentalists. He also conducts Fabbri Chamber Concerts in New York City at Fabbri Mansion’s 1609 Italian Renaissance Library, and A Little Night Music at Tuckerman Hall in Worcester, MA.
In just five years, New Canaan Chamber Music has become a thriving new addition to the concert scene. It also provides growing and inclusive programs of outreach with the Children’s Concerts and programs during the year that bring great music to seniors, youth orchestras, and local schools in New Canaan, Stamford, and Norwalk. NCCM is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Tickets to all concerts are available at www.newcanaanchambermusic.org and include the opportunity to purchase a Season Pass for a 10% discount.
“Carnegie Hall to New Canaan”
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, 3pm Wednesday Oct. 29, 7pm
“Violin Sonata No. 32 in B-flat Major, K. 454” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
“Violin Sonata No. 2” by Maurice Ravel
“From Sonata for Violin Solo No. 3 in C Major” by J.S. Bach
“Three Preludes for Piano Solo”” by George Gershwin
“Romance for Violin and Piano, Opus 23” by Amy Beach
“Scherzo Tarantelle for Violin and Piano, Opus” 16 by Henri Wieniawski
“The Magnificent Mendelssohn Octet”
Thurs., Dec. 11 at 3pm and Fri., Dec. 12 at 7pm
Nathan Meltzer, Simone Porter, Virgil Moore II, Choi, violins
Melissa Reardon and Carlos Walker, violas
Alice Yoo and Sara Scanlon, cellos
Andrew Armstrong, piano
Thurs., Feb. 5 at 3pm and Fri., Feb. 6 at 7pm
“Schubert’s Trout Quintet”
Kevin Zhu, violin; Gabriela Diaz, viola; Sterling Elliott, cello; Marguerite Cox, double bass; Andrew Armstrong, piano
Thurs., April 16 at 3pm and Fri., April 17 at 7pm
“Clarinet Meets Classical Accordion!”
Yoonah Kim, clarinet, Ryan Corbett, accordion; Andrew Armstrong, piano
