Carnegie Hall presents Sphinx Virtuosi: American Form/s
$29
- Njioma Grevious, violin
- Tai Murray, violin
- Britton-René Collins, percussion
Teresa Carreño — Serenade for String Orchestra ("IV. Tempo di Marcia")
Derrick Skye — American Mirror for String Quartet, Part One (arr. for string orchestra; NY premiere)
Curtis Stewart — Double Down, Invention #1 for Two Violins
Curtis Stewart — Drill (NY premiere)
Levi Taylor — Daydreaming (A Fantasy on Scott Joplin) (NY premiere)
The Sphinx Organization's "flagship performing entity" presents a varied and vibrant program of string music in this acclaimed annual event. It includes a riveting movement by 19th-century pianist, composer, singer, and conductor Teresa Carreño, a larger-than-life New Yorker from Venezuela who, by age 10, had performed for Abraham Lincoln at the White House during her first year of touring the U.S. Additional concepts of American music are explored in Derrick Skye's multifaceted and optimistic American Mirror, Part One; works (including a New York premiere) by renowned violinist-composer Curtis Stewart, who "translates stories of American self-determination to the concert stage"; the Overture from Treemonisha, written by foundational ragtime composer Scott Joplin and newly arranged by Jannina Norpoth; and an imaginative nod to Joplin by celebrated film composer and advocate Levi Taylor.
About Sphinx Virtuosi
The Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra and serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization—the leading social justice non profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprised of 18 accomplished Black and Latinx artists, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve and transform the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement. Its members serve as cultural and diversity ambassadors for audiences and communities around the United States and abroad.
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."
Since 2004, the Sphinx Virtuosi's concerts have been presented by the leading arts organizations, including annual return visits to Carnegie Hall as an established highlight of the fall season.
Their debut album, Songs for Our Times, was released on Deutsche Grammophon in July 2023 and represents the rich history of the Sphinx Organization and the vibrant future of classical music by centering the artistry of extraordinary composers and artistic visionaries of color.
https://www.sphinxmusic.org/sphinx-virtuosi/About Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall's mission is to present extraordinary music and musicians on the three stages of this legendary hall, to bring the transformative power of music to the widest possible audience, to provide visionary education programs, and to foster the future of music through the cultivation of new works, artists, and audiences.
https://www.carnegiehall.org/About Njioma Grevious, violin
About Tai Murray, violin
About Britton-René Collins, percussion
Hailed as an "Astounding Virtuoso" and "Exhilarating" performer, percussionist Britton-René Collins is a winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, receiving the Ambassador Prize for exceptional musicianship and demonstrating an active passion for creating social change through her music.
https://brittonrene.com/