Canadian Violinist James Ehnes to Perform Walton's Demanding Concerto and Chamber Music

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
Regular Concerts on June 26-27
Chamber Music Performance on June 28

World-renowned Canadian violinist James Ehnes will join the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) for its regular concerts and a chamber music performance from June 26 to 28.

At the regular concerts on June 26 and 27, Ehnes will perform William Walton's Violin Concerto, a piece known for its demanding virtuosity. The June 26 concert will be held at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, while the June 27 concert will take place at Lotte Concert Hall. On June 28, Ehnes will perform Brahms's String Sextet No. 1 at the SPO's chamber music concert at the Sejong Center Sejong Chamber Hall.

William Walton is a leading composer of 20th-century Britain. His Violin Concerto, commissioned and premiered by the legendary virtuoso Jascha Heifetz, is a signature work from Walton's prime and a masterpiece that epitomizes British Romanticism. The piece demands extreme technical skill and musicality from the performer, standing out for its lyrical melodies, rhythmic variety, and colorful orchestration.

James Ehnes is an acclaimed violinist who has won multiple Gramophone and Grammy Awards. Notably, he was named 'Artist of the Year' at the 2021 Gramophone Awards. He is currently the artist-in-residence with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, leader of the Ehnes Quartet, and artistic director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society. Korean-American violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill is also a member of the Ehnes Quartet and has performed with James Ehnes.

In addition to collaborating with James Ehnes, the SPO will perform Mendelssohn's "The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave)" and Richard Strauss's "An Alpine Symphony." "The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave)" is an orchestral overture composed in 1830, inspired by Mendelssohn's travels in Scotland and the breathtaking, mysterious landscapes he encountered there.

"An Alpine Symphony" showcases Strauss's exceptional orchestration skills and serves as a symphonic poem reflecting on the relationship between humanity and nature. Structured as a single movement, it is divided into 22 sections (scenes) connected in a narrative flow, depicting the journey up a mountain from dawn to dusk, following the passage of time.

The concerts will be conducted by Edward Gardner, principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This will be Gardner's first time conducting the SPO. He also serves as music director of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and as honorary conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. In October, he is scheduled to return to Korea with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

At the June 28 chamber music concert, James Ehnes will perform Brahms's String Sextet No. 1, a work that combines Romantic lyricism with Classical formal beauty, resulting in a rich palette of sound colors. In particular, the variations in the second movement, often referred to as "Brahms's Tears," express a passionate longing for love and the dreamlike sublimation of unattainable sorrow.

The program will also include Ravel's "Sonatine" and Debussy's "String Quartet." Ravel's Sonatine, originally a piano piece in three movements, will be performed in an arrangement for flute and string quartet at this concert.

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