The 2003 Bermuda Festival is now in its final phase, and closes this week with joint and individual performances by violinist James Ehnes and The English Chamber Orchestra, both of whom have graced the local stage before.

Since his first performance here in 1994 as a teenager, Mr. Ehnes has enjoyed an outstanding career, performing under the batons of some of the world's most distinguished conductors. With an impressive reputation among young concert violinists today, he has performed with major orchestras in North America as well as prestigious international ones.

Born in Canada in 1976, Mr. Ehnes began studying violin studies at age four, and at nine became a prot?g? of noted Canadian violinist Francis Chaplin. Later he graduated from the Julliard School as the winner of a top award for outstanding achievement and leadership in music.

National recognition first came with the awarding of the Grand Prize in Strings at the Canadian Music Competition, and later he became the youngest musician ever to win first prize in strings at the Canadian Music Festival. At 13, Mr. Ehnes made his orchestral debut with the Symphony Orchestra of Montreal, since which time he has gone on to garner countless awards and prizes as an international artist performing in major cities around the world.

As a chamber musician the violinist has also collaborated with such famed artists as cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Also a recording artist, Mr. Ehnes has released many CDs, and last year he won two major awards for 'Six Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin' by Bach. He plays the 'Ex Marsick' Stradivarius of 1715.

James Ehnes will give two performances. Tonight, he will debut with The English Chamber Orchestra at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts playing two works by Mozart: 'Concerto in D, K218' and 'Rondo in C, K373'. Tomorrow night, he will give a recital at City Hall theatre, playing 'Kreisler - Devil's Trill Sonata' by Tartini, a sonata by Faur?, a Bach Partita, Sarasate's 'Spanish Dance's, and Wieniawski's 'Variations on an Original Theme'.

The much-loved English Chamber Orchestra (ECO), always a popular favourite with Festival audiences, will bring the 2003 season to an elegant close with performances on Friday and Saturday nights, both at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts, and beginning at 8 p.m.

The happy association between the Bermuda Festival and the ECO began in 1979, and this year's visit is its eleventh. Formed in 1960, the orchestra enjoys an outstanding reputation worldwide, both for its performances and recordings.

Among other honours, it played at the wedding of its patron, HRH the Prince of Wales, and it has performed under the baton of such legendary conductors as Daniel Barenboim. Today, its conductor is award-winning Finn, Ralf Gothoni, whose accolades include being honoured by the Austrian Ministry of Culture and his native Finland.

In addition to giving master classes around the world, Mr. Gothoni, who is also a pianist, encourages young musical talent by devoting considerable time to education. He is also a composer and author.Mr. Gothoni has performed as a soloist and conductor with the ECO in concerts worldwide, including a Royal Gala at Buckingham Palace.

The ECO continues to attract musicians of the stature few chamber orchestras can match for concerts, including Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman and Jeffrey Tate, and its engagements vary from world tours to cruise ships.

( For ticket/further information see today's Bermuda Calendar.