Ehnes Trio
We hope you enjoyed this concert. A gallery of photos from this memorable evening can be found here...
The Peninsula Music Festival Presents
A Benefit Concert
James Ehnes, violin
Robert deMaine, cello
Andrew Armstrong, piano
Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church
Ellison Bay, Wisconsin
$40 per person, general admission
Grammy Award Winning and Gramophone Winner, violinist, James Ehnes will be bringing his trio to Door County for one performance on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. The trio includes cellist Robert deMaine and pianist Andrew Armstrong as well as Ehnes. The concert will be held at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church on Highway 42 in Ellison Bay. (click here for map) This 7:00 p.m. concert will be a fundraiser for the Peninsula Music Festival’s radio broadcasts. Thanks to the generosity of new concert sponsors, Ron and Pat Carkoski, tickets for this concert are just $40 each.
James Ehnes and Andrew Armstrong are audience favorites with the Peninsula Music Festival. Pianist Andrew Armstrong opened the August Symphonic Season in 2006 and in February of 2008 played a 
recital as part of the annual February Fest. Both performances resulted in standing ovations and a place in the Peninsula Music Festival family. James Ehnes has appeared numerous times with the Peninsula Music Festival. His first appearance in August of 2000 was so electrifying that Maestro Yampolsky booked him for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Festival in 2002. In addition to opening the 50th anniversary season with a performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Mr. Ehnes substituted for the ailing pianist John Browning two weeks later and performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. That concert was broadcast live on Wisconsin Public Radio. Mr. Ehnes had appearances with the Festival Orchestra in 2004 and 2007 also. For years, the Festival has been trying to coordinate schedules to bring James Ehnes to Door County during the ‘off season’ for a concert. 2009 is the year that the schedules came together. James Ehnes will also be closing the 2009 August season when he will perform Bernstein’s Serenade on the Tribute to Leonard Bernstein concert. Robert deMaine is the principal cellist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has established himself as one of the finest cellist of his generation.
In addition to a fabulous, once in a lifetime concert, those who attend will have a chance to meet the artists after the concert at a dessert buffet provided by Dianne Trenchard of Bay Ridge Golf Course. CD’s will be available for purchase and autographing. There will also be a chance to bid on a package that includes four tickets to the closing night concert of the August 2009 season with violinist James Ehnes, an in
vitation to one rehearsal for that concert, an invitation to the post concert party with James Ehnes in attendance, his latest CD personally autographed and a photo of the winning bidder with James Ehnes, Robert deMaine and Andrew Armstrong.
All proceeds from this concert will benefit the broadcasts of the Peninsula Music Festival each year on Wisconsin Public Radio. This year, the Festival has budgeted for five broadcasts. If more money is raised from this benefit concert, more broadcasts can be added. Each year Wisconsin Public Radio comes to Door County during the Peninsula Music Festival’s August season and records three concerts. Music from those recordings are used for later broadcasts throughout the fall, winter and spring. The Festival’s professional orchestra is paid a small stipend for each broadcast. The broadcasts are an important form of outreach allowing for a much larger audience than one concert and bringing the Festival Orchestra to a new audience who may buy tickets to future concerts.
“I am very excited that this recital is finally happening,” commented PMF Executive Director Sharon Grutzmacher. “I appreciate the work that the trio has put into making this date work and coming to Door County to perform for our wonderful audience. I am also so grateful to Mr. & Mrs. Carkoski for their sponsorship. I hope that everyone takes advantage of this affordable concert.”
Tickets for the Tuesday, February 10, 2009 benefit concert featuring violinist James Ehnes, cellist Robert deMaine and pianist Andrew Armstrong are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Festival office at 920-854-4060. The 7:00 p.m. concert will be held at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. General admission seating is just $40 per person and includes the dessert buffet reception after the concert.
The Program
Joseph Haydn Piano Trio in A Major, Hob. XV, No. 18
(1732-1809) I: Allegro Moderato
II: Andante
III: Allegro
Josef Suk: Elegie (Under the Impression of Zeyer's Vysehrad), op. 23
(1874-1935)
Franz Schubert: Trio in E-Flat, D. 897, Nottunro
(1797-1828)
Intermission
Felix Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in D minor, op. 49
(1809-1847) I: Molto Allegro Agitato
II: Andante con Moto Tranquillo
III: Scherzo: Leggiero e Vivace
IV: Finale: Allegro Assai Appassionato