Grammy-Winning Violinist James Ehnes to Perform with Pianist Andrew Armstrong at Hoff-Barthelson Music School

ByHoff-Barthelson Music School

Hoff-Barthelson Music School is honored to present world-renowned violinist James Ehnes in recital with acclaimed pianist and HBMS alumnus Andrew Armstrong on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 7:30 pm. This performance offers a rare opportunity to experience two internationally celebrated artists in the intimate setting of a community music school.

About James Ehnes
A two-time Grammy Award winner, James Ehnes is widely recognized as one of the greatest violinists of his generation. Praised for his stunning virtuosity, expressive lyricism, and profound musical insight, Ehnes performs regularly with the world’s leading orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw, London Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. His extensive discography has earned him not only Grammys but also multiple Juno and Gramophone Awards. In addition to his solo career, he is the Artistic Director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society and leader of the acclaimed Ehnes Quartet. Ehnes plays the “Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715.

About Andrew Armstrong
Pianist Andrew Armstrong has delighted audiences across five continents, performing in major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall in London, the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, and Warsaw’s National Philharmonic. With a repertoire of more than 60 concertos, Armstrong has collaborated with leading orchestras worldwide. In addition to his solo and chamber work, Armstrong directs and curates several chamber music series in the U.S. and abroad. A proud alumnus of Hoff-Barthelson Music School, Armstrong is returning to his musical roots for this very special concert.

Program Highlights
The evening’s program spans centuries and styles, offering a rich survey of the violin and piano repertoire:

  • Mozart – Violin Sonata No. 32 in B-flat Major, K. 454: Composed in 1784 for a celebrated performance with violinist Regina Strinasacchi before Emperor Joseph II, this sonata is both elegant and virtuosic, with a memorable opening Largo that leads into a brilliant Allegro.
  • Ravel – Violin Sonata No. 2: Written in the 1920s, this sonata embraces jazz influences, most notably in the sultry “Blues” second movement, and culminates in a whirlwind perpetual motion finale.
  • J.S. Bach – from Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005: A masterpiece of Baroque counterpoint, the selected movements (“Largo” and “Allegro assai”) highlight the expressive and technical possibilities of the unaccompanied violin.
  • George Gershwin – Three Preludes for Piano Solo: These jazzy, rhythmic gems—by turns exuberant and lyrical—bring the spirit of 1920s America to the concert stage.
  • Amy Beach – Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23: A lyrical and heartfelt work from one of America’s most important early female composers, showcasing warmth and intimacy.
  • Henryk Wieniawski – Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op. 16: A dazzling showpiece brimming with virtuosity and rhythmic vitality, sure to bring the recital to a thrilling close.

Tickets:

  • $50 General Admission
  • $90 Preferred Seating
  • Limited number of free tickets for HBMS students ages 10–18
    Tickets are limited and available exclusively through Eventbrite.

“Hosting an artist of James Ehnes’s caliber here at Hoff-Barthelson is an extraordinary privilege, and pairing him with our distinguished alumnus Andrew Armstrong makes this recital especially meaningful,” shared Gabriella Sanna, the School’s Executive Director. “This event reflects our School’s mission to inspire excellence while welcoming all. Proceeds from the evening will directly support our growing Financial Aid Program, ensuring that every student—regardless of financial means—has access to the very best in music education,” she continued.

This recital stands as both a cultural highlight and a testament to Hoff-Barthelson’s role as a leading community music school, where artistry and accessibility come together in service of the entire community.

About Hoff-Barthelson Music School
Founded in 1944, Hoff-Barthelson Music School is one of the nation’s premier community music schools. Known for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, HBMS provides a comprehensive curriculum, world-class faculty, and performance opportunities that nurture a lifelong love of music.

About Hoff-Barthelson Music School

Virginia Hoff and Joyce Barthelson believed that the joy of music and the skills to perform it should be available to everyone. When these two gifted musicians founded Hoff-Barthelson Music School in 1944, they built a legacy that has touched the lives of thousands: a warm, friendly music school dedicated to the highest standards of education, performance, and community service. Today, a commitment to creativity, collaboration, and community permeates the School. Students of all ages, aptitudes, and levels of interest—from casual learners to students preparing to pursue careers in music, from 9-month-olds in our Early Childhood Program to recent retirees returning to music making after decades devoted to pursuing careers and raising children—all enjoy these benefits: A supportive, joyful learning environment. We inspire students to develop their full creative potential by pursuing their love of music with peers, friends, family members, and teachers. A focus on the whole person. Developing musical skill, understanding, and appreciation goes hand in hand with nurturing valuable learning and life skills. Problem-solving abilities, fine and gross motor skills, self-confidence, peer relationships, focus and organization, teamwork, and more are strengthened through high-quality music education. Exceptional teaching. Our faculty—drawn from the region’s most talented teachers and performers—excel at meeting individual needs, developing artistic and human potential, and inspiring achievement for students of all levels of ability. A multifaceted curriculum. Our comprehensive approach deepens and accelerates musical development through individualized private instruction; classroom instruction in music theory, sight-singing, and music history; frequent performance opportunities, including workshops, master classes with visiting artists, recitals, and festivals; and ongoing assessment of student progress. The Hoff-Barthelson Music School has achieved national recognition as a premier community music school for its unsurpassed leadership in education, performance and outreach. Since its establishment in 1944, the School has become one of Westchester County’s most cherished and active cultural resources.