Sphinx Virtuosi To Open Harriman-Jewell Series Season…
Richard Harriman championed diversity long before the concept became a mainstream concern. The Harriman-Jewell Series, co-founded by Mr. Harriman in 1965, has always presented a wide variety of programming, introducing Kansas City to the distinctive cultures that exist within the United States and around the world.
So it’s appropriate that the Harriman-Jewell Series will inaugurate its 2016-2017 season with the Sphinx Virtuosi, an acclaimed chamber orchestra that exemplifies how diversity is enriching classical music in America. The group of 18 young Black and Latino classical string soloists will perform a free Discovery Concert at the Folly Theater on September 24 and will give a special performance as part of the Harriman-Jewell Series’ gala, Prelude 2016, on September 26.
The New York Times reported that the conductorless Sphinx Virtuosi displays “all the hallmarks of a first-rate string ensemble.” That’s not surprising, given the high quality of its young musicians. Members of Sphinx have completed and continue to pursue their studies at the nation’s top music schools, including Juilliard, Curtis, Eastman, Peabody, Harvard and the University of Michigan.
“Sphinx exists at the intersection of social justice and performing arts,” said Afa Dworkin, president and artistic director of Sphinx Virtuosi. “For almost 20 years, Sphinx has worked to advance the importance of inclusion and diversity in the arts through programs in education, artistic presentation, artist development and leader-ship. Annually, we reach 20,000 young people directly and more than two million in live and broadcast audiences.”
Those values are shared by the Harriman-Jewell Series, which regularly facilitates informal interactions between visiting performing artists and students of all ages and backgrounds. Every year, the Harriman-Jewell Series raises money for its educational outreach efforts and free Discovery Concerts through its Prelude benefit.
This September, the Sphinx Virtuosi will add its magic to Prelude 2016 with a showcase performance at the Folly Theater on September 26 at 6 p.m., followed by a cocktail
reception and dinner at the Kansas City Muehlebach Downtown (200 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Mo.). The Catalyst Quartet, the lead players of the Sphinx Virtuosi, will play during the dinner for Prelude 2016, an event that will be true to its theme: an evening of discovery.
For its free-to-the-public Discovery Concert on September 24 at the Folly Theater, the Sphinx Virtuosi will play a full-evening program of Latin music, “Viajes Latinos” (Latin Journeys). The concert of sizzling Latin music will give ample demonstration of the group’s prowess. The performance will mark the 38th free Discovery Concert offered to the Kansas City community by the Harriman-Jewell Series since 2004.
“‘Viajes Latinos’ will take the listener on a journey from the tantalizing Argentine tango to the nocturnal imagery of Mexico, along with a tribute to the great Astor Piazzolla,” Ms. Dworkin said.
In addition to the Discovery Concert and Prelude 2016, other community events are being planned for the Sphinx Virtuosi’s visit to Kansas City. These include a tour of the American Jazz Museum and the 18th & Vine historic jazz district with the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, a performance and workshop with the children of Harmony
Project KC, and a free recital by the Catalyst Quartet at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
The Museum has a photograph that might be of interest to the visiting musicians. It was taken in 1858 by the English photographer Francis Frith and shows the Great Sphinx in Egypt almost completely buried by sand. Looking at it, one can’t help but think of the Latin aphorism “Ars Longa. Vita Brevis.” Art is eternal. Life is brief.
“The historical Sphinx is a monument to human achievement and excellence that has endured the test of time,” Ms. Dworkin said. “Like the monument, music is a mystery, and its meaning lives in the heart and mind of the beholder. We celebrate these inspiring parallels with the dedication, excellence, endurance and commitment to craft that we ask of our young artists.”
For more information about Prelude 2016 or the Sphinx Virtuosi Discovery Concert, call 816-415-5025 or visit HJSERIES.ORG.
–Patrick Neas
Above photo by Kevin Kennedy
