American Mirror
Deutsche Grammophon · 2025
ENSEMBLE · ORCHESTRA
Sphinx Virtuosi
Sphinx Organization
Flagship performing ensemble Deutsche Grammophon
Recording artist Dedicatee
Major works from Michael Abels, Jessie Montgomery, Carlos Simon & many more ABOUT
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.
PRESS & REVIEWS
What the critics say
“Top-notch… more essential at this moment than ever… a vibrant, assured performance”
— The New York Times
“A fire lit under every phrase”
— The Boston Globe
“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.”
— The Washington Post
“If you doubt that the future of classical music is bright, Sphinx Virtuosi's 'American Mirror' might very well convince you otherwise.”
— Gramophone
Discography
Recordings
Songs for Our Times
Deutsche Grammophon · 2023
VIDEOS
Videos
2026-27 Program
Programs & Repertoire
Program One
American250: Sounds of Unity
- Rachel McFarlane American Dialogues
- Roberto Sierra Sinfonietta for Strings
- Damien Geter "Declaration" (with J'Nai Bridges; libretto by Aaron Dworkin) [Fall]
- Florence Price String Quartet No. 2, II. Andante cantabile [Spring]
- Jessie Montgomery Banner!
- Ravel (arr. Miloradovic) Blues from the Violin Sonata
- Stravinsky Concerto in D for string orchestra, "Basle"
Marking the 250th anniversary of America, American Dialogues celebrates the nation's evolving story through newly commissioned works and reimagined classics.
2027-28
- Esteban Salas y Castro Magnificat
- Piazzolla (arr. Rubén Rengel) Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas
- Intermission
- Coleridge-Taylor Romance for String Orchestra
- Salim Dada Miniatures Algériennes
- Carlos Simon The New Seasons (new commission)
On Stage
Featured Projects
Sphinx Virtuosi Community Engagements
Chamber Orchestra
Comprising 18 of the nation's top Black and Latinx classical soloists — alumni of the renowned Sphinx Competition — the Sphinx Virtuosi serve as cultural ambassadors who reach new audiences each season. True to the Sphinx Organization's mission to transform lives through diversity in the arts, the ensemble is fiercely committed to engaging with communities throughout each tour.