Event
James Plays Mozart
Naples Philharmonic Masterworks
Naples Philharmonic
James Ehnes, violin, leader and artistic partner
Jessie Montgomery — Strum
Mozart — Violin Concerto No. 4
Dvořák — Serenade for Strings
This program centers on the expressive vitality of strings. Artistic Partner James Ehnes returns to Hayes Hall to lead the Naples Philharmonic in an uplifting program that showcases his dazzling virtuosity, refined lyricism and deep musical insight. Opening with Montgomery’s joyous and rhythmically charged Strum, the program moves to Mozart’s Fourth Violin Concerto — a sophisticated blend of French, Italian and German styles. Arpeggios and melodic exchanges course through the program with a conversational ease that carries through to Dvořák’s radiant, folk-inflected Serenade for Strings for a warm and shimmering close.
Prelude at 6:30pm
Join the conductor before the performance for an insightful 30-minute prelude discussion about the program.
Music and Museum
All Masterworks tickets include same-day admission to The Baker Museum. Museum hours on day of performance: 10am-7:30pm. In addition, the doors to Hayes Hall will open 90 minutes prior to this performance. Arrive early to enjoy the exhibitions and light fare available at Heidi's Place.
Naples Philharmonic
Naples Philharmonic
Founded in 1982, the Naples Philharmonic normally performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts from September through June each year.
Meet the Musicians
Alexander Shelley
Artistic and Music Director Meet Alexander
Jack Everly
Principal Pops Conductor Meet Jack
James Ehnes
Artistic Partner Meet James
Manuel López-Gómez
Associate Conductor Meet Manuel
James Ehnes
James Ehnes
James Ehnes has established himself as one of the most sought-after musicians on the international stage. Gifted with a rare combination of stunning virtuosity, serene lyricism and unfaltering musicality, James is a favorite guest at the world’s most celebrated concert halls.
Recent and upcoming orchestral highlights include the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, NHK Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra.
A devoted chamber musician, James 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-en-Provence.
James, who began violin studies at the age of 5, became a protégé of the noted Canadian violinist Francis Chaplin at 9 and made his orchestral debut with L’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal at 13, has an extensive discography and has won many awards for his recordings, including two Grammys, three Gramophone Awards and 12 Juno Awards—the most of any classical musician in history.
James is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an honorary fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, where he is a visiting professor. Since 2024, he has been a professor of violin at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. James plays the “Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715.
