Songs for Our Times
Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra), Amaryn Olmeda (violin), Thomas Mesa (cello)
Highlights are a richly aching arrangement of a slow movement from a Florence Price quartet; the propulsive yet dreamlike, even surreal, swirl of Ricardo Herz’s “Sisifo na Cidade Grande” (“Sisyphus...
Songs for Our Times
Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra), Amaryn Olmeda (violin), Thomas Mesa (cello)
Purchase product
Highlights are a richly aching arrangement of a slow movement from a Florence Price quartet; the propulsive yet dreamlike, even surreal, swirl of Ricardo Herz’s “Sisifo na Cidade Grande” (“Sisyphus...
About
The pioneering Sphinx Virtuosi ensemble presents a debut album of music by African American and Latinx composers. Songs for Our Times features the world premiere recordings of works by Jessie Montgomery and Valerie Coleman, along with music by Michael Abels, Ricardo Herz, Carlos Simon, Florence Price and Aldemaro Romero, and a new Beethoven arrangement by Rubén Rengel. It also shines a light on the breathtaking musicianship of these 18 young exceptional Black and Latinx string players.
Contents and tracklist
- version for String Ensemble
- Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra)
- Recorded: 2023-03-25
- Recording Venue: University of South Florida, College of The Arts, Concert Hall
- Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra)
- Recorded: 2023-03-25
- Recording Venue: University of South Florida, College of The Arts, Concert Hall
- Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra)
- Recorded: 2023-03-25
- Recording Venue: University of South Florida, College of The Arts, Concert Hall
- Amaryn Olmeda (violin)
- Recorded: 2023-04-20
- Recording Venue: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall
- Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra)
- Recorded: 2023-03-25
- Recording Venue: University of South Florida, College of The Arts, Concert Hall
- Thomas Mesa (cello), Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra)
- Recorded: 2023-03-25
- Recording Venue: University of South Florida, College of The Arts, Concert Hall
- Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra)
- Recorded: 2023-03-25
- Recording Venue: University of South Florida, College of The Arts, Concert Hall
- Sphinx Virtuosi (chamber orchestra)
- Recorded: 2023-03-25
- Recording Venue: University of South Florida, College of The Arts, Concert Hall
Awards and reviews
The New York Times 28th Spetember 2023
Highlights are a richly aching arrangement of a slow movement from a Florence Price quartet; the propulsive yet dreamlike, even surreal, swirl of Ricardo Herz’s “Sisifo na Cidade Grande” (“Sisyphus in the Big City”); and a breathless rendition of the finale of Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata, arranged for the group in honor of the work’s original dedicatee, the Black violinist George Bridgetower.
