During the October 20 Sphinx Virtuosi performance at Carnegie Hall, the Sphinx Organization was thrilled to present Robert Smith with the first Sphinx Trailblazer Award, in recognition for his commitment to social justice and the arts. The award was presented by Aaron Dworkin, Dr. William H. Carson, and Afa S. Dworkin.
The Sphinx Virtuosi, led by the Catalyst Quartet, is one of the nation’s most dynamic professional chamber orchestras. Comprised of 18 of the nation’s top Black and Latino classical soloists, these alumni of the internationally renowned Sphinx Competition come together each fall as cultural ambassadors to reach new audiences. This unique self-conducted ensemble earned rave reviews from The NewYork Times during its highly acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall in December 2004. Allan Kozinn described their performance as “first-rate in every way” and “the ensemble produced a more beautiful, precise and carefully shaped sound than some fully professional orchestras that come through Carnegie Hall in the course of the year.”
The Sphinx Virtuosi have returned to Carnegie Hall annually since 2006 performing to sold-out halls and earning outstanding reviews from The New York Times each year. At once a bridge between minority communities and the classical music establishment, the Sphinx Virtuosi continue to garner critical acclaim during their annual national tours to many of the leading venues around the country.
Inspired by Sphinx’s overarching mission, the Sphinx Virtuosi works to advance diversity in classical music while engaging young and new audiences through performances of varied repertoire.
Photo: Robert Smith with the Sphinx Virtuosi. Credit: Brian Hatton Photography
