Music Review | Sphinx Virtuosi Is a Young Classical Powerhouse of a Different Color
Renowned, Diversity-Embracing Sphinx Virtuosi Brought an Uncommonly Tight and Energetic String Ensemble Sound to the Santa Barbara Lobero
When the Sphinx Virtuosi played the Lobero on March 15 as the finale of the chamber-esque Masterseries component of CAMA’s season, it was clearly one of the more intriguing concerts of the current classical harvest, with various elements of surprise in place.
For one, programming-wise, the group deviated from the standard repertoire fare that tends to dominate Santa Barbara’s classical agenda. The musical menu was largely cooked up by living composers and included four fresh, new pieces written for the group out of a six-work program. In terms of the racial and gender makeup of the 18-piece string ensemble, we were happily greeted by the sight of a group composed of musicians of color, and a healthy component of women on stage.
That equal time-oriented aspect of the group’s very being and core mission — as a performing arm of the diversity-geared Sphinx Organization, fully in motion for 20 years now — is an important distinguishing feature of the group, and a thrilling surprise for audiences accustomed to stubborn old-school norms and hiring biases in the classical field. The focus on musicians of color extends to the expanding in-house playlist, ushering in music by composers of color, both living and historical.
