Sphinx Virtuosi
“[The performance] opened with a propulsive, richly hued interpretation...which demonstrated the ensemble’s polish and tonal allure”
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Since 2004, the Sphinx Virtuosi’s concerts have been presented by leading arts organizations in the US, including an annual return to Carnegie Hall – which has become an established highlight of their Fall season. Frequently selling out venues, the ensemble has garnered effusive accolades including from The New York Times that has described the group as "...top-notch...more essential at this moment than ever...a vibrant, assured performance..."; and The Washington Post that wrote “true to their name, the Sphinx Virtuosi call up the vision of an iconic mythological feline with its immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty.”
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Heralded as "...top-notch” (The New York Times) with “...immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty” (The Washington Post), the Sphinx Virtuosi is equally diverse in the works the ensemble presents as the artist collaborations. From Denyce Graves to Sweet Honey in the Rock, the ensemble’s breadth of experiences continues to be one of the founding pillars of its continued success.
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In an effort to highlight Black and Latinx living composers, expand its repertoire, and engage new audiences the ensemble’s commissions works have included major new works from Michael Abels, Terence Blanchard, Valerie Coleman, Xavier Foley, Jimmy Lopez, Jessie Montgomery, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and Carlos Simon.
Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic, self-conducted chamber orchestra and the flagship performing ensemble of the Sphinx Organization, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the arts. Comprising 18 of the nation’s most accomplished professional string players, Sphinx Virtuosi is redefining classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and cultural leadership.
Recognized for their artistry and commanding presence, Sphinx Virtuosi has been praised by The New York Times as “top-notch... more essential at this moment than ever.” The Strad lauds their “elegant ascent into the upper ranks of string orchestras,” a testament to their growing influence in the field. With performances that captivate audiences nationwide, their annual Carnegie Hall appearance has become a celebrated highlight of the fall season. Their critically acclaimed debut album, Songs for Our Times (Deutsche Grammophon) was hailed as “a knockout” by Gramophone, which praised their “consistently polished and passionate performances.”
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Members of Sphinx Virtuosi are sought-after soloists, chamber musicians, and faculty members at top institutions. They have performed with major American orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, and the Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, Seattle, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras. Beyond the concert stage, they are artist-citizens, leading impactful community initiatives and fostering deep engagement with audiences worldwide.
Sphinx Virtuosi has collaborated with legendary artists such as Terence Blanchard, Denyce Graves, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Damien Sneed, Will Liverman, J’Nai Bridges, Abel Selaocoe, and Davóne Tines. They have also worked with cultural icons like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, with high-profile appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the Grammy Awards broadcast.
Learn more at www.sphinxmusic.org/sphinx-virtuosi.
April 2025 – Please do not edit without permission.
Videos
Programs & Repertoire
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PROGRAM
LEVI TAYLOR: Daydreaming (A Fantasy on Scott Joplin)*
SCOTT JOPLIN, arr. Jannina Norpoth, Jessie Montgomery: Treemonisha Overture**
SAMUEL COLERIDGE TAYLOR: Four Novelletten, Op. 52
JUANTIO BECENTI: Hané for String Quartet**
TERESA CARREÑO: Serenade for Strings, IV. Finale, Tempo di Marcia
DERRICK SKYE: American Mirror Part One**
CURTIS STEWART: Drill*Featuring Britton-René Collins, percussion
American Form/s is a musical tapestry depicting the many sounds of American classical music. Vibrant, varied, storied, and new, the self-conducted string orchestra Sphinx Virtuosi takes audiences on a journey through classically-framed infusions of soul, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and elements of rag. Works range from reimaginings of Joplin's joyous landscapes to the complex rhythms of Curtis Stewart and brilliant influences of immigrant composers like Teresa Carreño. Experience the intricate harmonies and world influences of Derrick Skye's writing, as well as modern interpretations of soul-stirring spirituals and more in this program carefully and collaboratively curated to celebrate the richness of the American musical landscape.
As an emerging soloist to watch, percussionist Britton-René Collins embodies the artistry and passion of contemporary percussion performance. A winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, Britton-René has dedicated her art to shaping a more diverse and inclusive community for all musicians. A Grand Prize-winner of the 2022 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition and the 2021 Chicago International Music Competition, Britton-René has performed as a soloist in the United States, Canada, and Europe. She has made several concerto appearances, including with the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Valdosta Symphony, and the Meridian Symphony.
* denotes commissioned by SV
** denotes arranged for SVProgram order is subject to change.
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PROGRAM
JOSE WHITE: La Bella Cubana
CLARICE ASSAD: Perpetual Motion
CLARICE ASSAD: Danca Brasileira
JESSIE MONTGOMERY: New Commission (NWS/Carnegie Co-Commission TBD)
WILLIAM GRANT STILL: Suite for Violin OR Cello**
Sterling Elliott, Cello (Fall 2025 tour)
Randall Goosby, Violin (Spring 2026 tour)
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QUENTON BLACHE: A Vision for Peace (NWS/Carnegie Co-Commission TBD)
SERGEI PROKOFIEV, Sonata No. 7 “Stalingrad”
ALBERTO GINASTERA: Concerto For Strings, Op. 33 IV. Finale
MANUEL PONCE: Estrellita* denotes commissioned by SV
** denotes arranged for SV
Visions of Peace In a unique convergence of musical voices, this program beckons us into a realm where music becomes an emissary of peace and unity. On this journey, we hope to lift every voice and remember our complex history while looking toward our shared journey toward a brighter tomorrow. We explore peace while remembering the conflict of past and present and recognizing the repeated history and the resilience of the human spirit. From William Grant Still, celebrated as the “Dean of African American Composers,” to Jose White's stirring Cuban melodies, every note resonates with our collective aspirations for harmony and understanding without borders. This is a collection of new voices, those that have already shaped our canon and those that we hope will continue to be celebrated long after our time together. As Alberto Ginastera's Concerto for Strings takes us toward a triumphant crescendo, you will join us in a jubilant celebration of the human spirit's indomitable resilience and our unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peace. We reflect on themes of war, anguish, and loss through Ruben Rengel's setting of Prokofiev's "Stalingrad" Sonata. Jessie Montgomery's music helps us transcend boundaries and borders, while our vision for shared humanity is brought together through Quenton Blache's title composition.
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PROGRAM
Jasmine Barnes: Oh Shenandoah**
Original Song Cycle: Works TBC
Derrick Skye: American Mirror, Part II
Roberto Sierra: Sinfonietta for Strings
Jessie Montgomery: Banner
Igor Stravinsky: Concerto in D for string orchestra, “Basle”** denotes arranged for SV
Program is subject to change.
Projects
