If you follow this section you’re probably already well aware that Brandon born and raised James Ehnes received some pretty great recognition last month in the form of a Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo. As one of the world’s best at his craft the award marked the second Grammy win for the Crocus Plains alumni.
What you may or may not have known is that at as a local preteen at all of 12 years of age James was already performing at a level that would drop your jaw en route to a life as one of the world's premier concert violinists. The clip below was recently shared by The Violin Channel of a young Ehnes performing Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen as part of an appearance in a late 1980’s film “Recital at the Aud” at Virden’s Aud Theatre. In the film, shot in 1988 and released in 1989 by then-Brandon-based Brandon Production House, Ehnes plays the part of fictitious boy prodigy Laddy Liddington of Virden:
According to a bio, Ehnes started studying violin at the age of four and by nine was a protege of Canadian violinist Francis Chaplin. His orchestral debut would come at age of 13 with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal.
Ehnes, who now resides with family in Florida, was the subject of a CBC story late last year where a point was made in crediting his upbringing and normal life in Brandon as being key to his eventual success.
For those that are curious, Recital at the Aud’s producer has placed the full 26 minute show on YouTube at:
https://youtu.be/-9zlRxDAR14