James Ehnes' 50th Canada Birthday Tour

James Ehnes is back!

One of the planet’s most renowned violinists celebrates his 50th birthday with a not-to-be-missed tour across Canada.

The Banff Centre favourite will perform in recital with the celebrated pianist Andrew Armstrong; the pair have collaborated on several acclaimed recordings. Together, they’ll perform a repertoire including Brahms’s “Sonata No. 3,” Bartók’s “Rhapsody No 1,” and the world premiere of Carmen Braden’s “Imaginal,” co-commissioned by Banff Centre.

Ehnes’s extensive discography has won a bounty of awards, including two Grammys, three Gramophone Awards, and 12 JUNO Awards—the most of any classical musician in history.

He’s also one of the most sought-after musicians on the international classical stage. Recent and upcoming orchestral highlights include the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, LA Phil, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Cleveland Orchestra.

A devoted chamber musician, Ehnes is the Artistic Director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society and the leader of the Ehnes Quartet.

He plays the “Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715, named after Belgian violinist and teacher Martin Pierre Marsick (1847–1924), who owned the instrument created by Antonio Stradivari of Cremona. Valued at approximately $10-million CAD, the instrument was purchased in 1999 by collector David L. Fulton, who immediately loaned it to violinist James Ehnes and then sold it to him a decade later.

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is excited to bring together world-renowned musicians, artists, and writers, as well as passionate audiences for the 2026 Banff Centre Summer Arts Festival. Running throughout May to September, the 2026 festival invites audiences to experience a season of artistic discovery of over 100 free and ticketed events. Tickets are now available for the 2026 Banff Centre Summer Arts Festival!