Johannes Brahms - Violin Sonatas (James Ehnes; Andrew Armstrong)

Information

Composer: Johannes Brahms

• Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78
• Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100
• Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108
• Scherzo in C Minor, WoO 2

James Ehnes, violin

Andrew Armstrong, piano

Date: 2026

Label: SCMS Records

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On this debut release from the Seattle Chamber Music Society's new label, SCMS Records, Artistic Director James Ehnes and pianist Andrew Armstrong offer a fresh interpretation of Johannes Brahms’s complete works for violin and piano. Recorded at Toronto's Koerner Hall, the album spans over three decades of Brahms's creative output. It contrasts the fiery, youthful energy of his early Scherzo in C minor with the lyrical nostalgia, warmth, and restless, symphonic intensity of his three mature violin sonatas. Together, Ehnes and Armstrong expertly capture the full expressive spectrum of Brahms's writing, balancing deep musical insight with technical virtuosity.

Canadian violinist James Ehnes is an internationally renowned soloist, chamber musician, and educator who serves as Professor of Violin at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and Artistic Director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society. Celebrated for his exceptional virtuosity and lyricism, he performs regularly with the world’s elite orchestras and at premier venues like Carnegie Hall. A highly decorated recording artist, Ehnes plays the 1715 “Marsick” Stradivarius and holds two Grammys, three Gramophone Awards—including 2021 Artist of the Year—and a historic twelve Juno Awards. His upcoming engagements feature a milestone 50th-birthday recital tour across Canada.

Pianist Andrew Armstrong is internationally celebrated for his passionate expression, dazzling technique, and a vast orchestral repertoire encompassing over sixty concertos. A frequent performer at premier venues like Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall, Armstrong is also a prolific chamber musician. He directs six thriving chamber music series across the United States and recently launched a music festival in Tuscany. His extensive discography includes critically acclaimed solo albums and award-winning collaborations with longtime duo partner James Ehnes. Throughout 2026, Armstrong is joining Ehnes on a milestone cross-country recital tour spanning every province and territory in Canada.

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