Name: Sphinx Virtuosi (Baltimore Debut) Sterling Elliott, cello
Start: 2025-10-19T17:30:00
Location: Johns Hopkins University

The Sphinx Virtuosi, a renowned ensemble of Black and Latinx classical soloists, is set to captivate audiences with a series of performances focusing on themes of peace and resilience. This season, they are joined by remarkable talents, including the young cellist Sterling Elliott. The events will feature a diverse selection of compositions that aim to inspire unity and reflection on our shared journey toward a harmonious future. Join us as the Sphinx Virtuosi brings their vibrant and rhapsodic music to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Costa Mesa.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Symphony of Peace and Resilience

In a harmonious celebration of cultural diversity and artistic expression, the Sphinx Virtuosi ensemble returns to captivate audiences with their unique program 'Visions of Peace.' Featuring renowned cellist Sterling Elliott and violinist Randall Goosby, this series of performances spans Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Costa Mesa. With a repertoire that includes pieces by Clarice Assad, William Grant Still, and Alberto Ginastera, these events are a musical journey through themes of peace, resilience, and shared humanity. Join us as we delve into the transformative power of music in uniting diverse voices.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Symphony of Peace and Unity

The Shriver Hall Concert Series is back with a remarkable lineup for the 2025-2026 season, featuring a blend of seasoned performers and emerging talents. From the youngest cellist to win Gold at the Tchaikovsky Competition to the imaginative pianist with a Grammy legacy, this series promises to enthrall audiences with diverse musical expressions. With a commitment to uplifting classical music, Shriver Hall will host recitals and orchestral performances that celebrate the resilience and creativity of renowned artists and young prodigies alike.

Celebrating a Symphony of Talent: The Shriver Hall Concert Series 2025-2026

The Shriver Hall Concert Series offers a captivating lineup for the 2025-2026 season, featuring a diverse array of performances by some of the most talented musicians in the world. From the enchanting cello and piano duos of Zlatomir Fung and Chaeyoung Park to the orchestral debut of the Sphinx Virtuosi, this season promises an unforgettable journey through classical and contemporary music. Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of performances that will grace the stages of Johns Hopkins University and beyond.

Exploring the 2025-2026 Shriver Hall Concert Series: A Journey of Artistic Excellence

The Sphinx Virtuosi, a dynamic ensemble of Black and Latinx classical soloists, returns to captivate audiences with their powerful performances emphasizing peace and unity. Featuring the talented cellist Sterling Elliott and violinist Randall Goosby, these events highlight musical works that resonate with themes of resilience and shared humanity. With performances across Philadelphia, Baltimore, Costa Mesa, and Santa Barbara, the Sphinx Virtuosi aims to uplift and inspire through a diverse range of compositions, from historical pieces by William Grant Still to modern works by Jessie Montgomery.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Celebration of Peace and Unity Through Music

The Shriver Hall Concert Series for 2025-2026 offers an extraordinary lineup, featuring acclaimed artists and captivating performances across a variety of styles. From Richard Goode's emotional piano renditions to the spirited orchestral debut of Sphinx Virtuosi, the series promises a feast for the senses. With standout performances by renowned musicians like Christian Tetzlaff and newcomers like Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, this season celebrates both the time-honored and the contemporary, creating a vibrant tapestry of musical experiences.

A Season of Musical Mastery: Shriver Hall Concert Series 2025-2026

As the Sphinx Virtuosi embark on their latest season, they bring along a powerful narrative of resilience, unity, and peace through the universal language of music. Featuring the prodigious talents of Sterling Elliott and Randall Goosby, this journey sees the ensemble performing across various prestigious venues, exploring a repertoire that echoes the spirit of hope and collaboration. These events challenge us to reflect on our history and aspire to a future where music transcends borders and unites us all.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Celebration of Diversity and Peace Through Music

The Shriver Hall Concert Series is set to dazzle Baltimore with an extraordinary lineup of events featuring Baltimore debuts, celebrated musicians, and vibrant performances. From the pioneering Sphinx Virtuosi to the captivating pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, this season promises unforgettable experiences that celebrate orchestral brilliance and solo recitals. Each event showcases unique talents and compositions, providing audiences with a rich tapestry of musical artistry. Join us as we delve into the standout performances that define this remarkable series, heralding a new era of classical music appreciation in Baltimore.

A Symphony of Strings: Celebrating Baltimore Musical Debuts and Masterpieces

Embark on an enchanting journey with Sphinx Virtuosi, an illustrious ensemble of Black and Latinx classical musicians. As they grace stages across the U.S., featuring the remarkable talents of cellist Sterling Elliott and violinist Randall Goosby, their performances encapsulate a profound narrative of peace, unity, and resilience. Through the language of music, they navigate the complexities of history, stirring emotions and aspirations in a quest for harmony and understanding.

The Shriver Hall Concert Series' 2025-2026 season promises an array of musical experiences, boasting both debuts and veteran performances by exceptional artists. Audiences will be treated to the pioneering Sphinx Virtuosi with cellist Sterling Elliott, the Abeo Quartet, and renowned artists like Edgar Meyer, Emanuel Ax, and Angela Hewitt. From orchestral innovations to classical recitals, this season offers a rich tapestry of performances that highlight the resilience of the human spirit and the timeless beauty of classical music.

A Season of Musical Excellence: Shriver Hall Concert Series 2025-2026

Sterling Elliott

Sphinx Virtuosi

Shriver Hall Concert Series

SHCS’s 61st season opens with Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández. A top prizewinner at the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, he has been lauded as a “new cello genius” (Le Figaro), while the Los Angeles Times raved: “Pop-idol magnetism, superb technique, and exhilarating musicality reveal a sure star in the making…a cello phenomenon.” Ferrández debuts with a program of suites for solo cello featuring two radiant masterworks by Bach.

Pablo Ferrández, cello (Baltimore Recital Debut)

Johns Hopkins University

The OAK Trio brings together three of today’s most exciting young artists: pianist Evren Ozel, recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, violinist Nathan Amaral, a Classic FM Rising Star and Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient, and cellist Leland Ko, First Prize Winner of the Naumberg Cello Competition. Their program explores the common humanity of different cultural songs and dances through the works of Haydn, Gabriela Lena Frank, Paul Schoenfeld, and Dvořák.

OAK Trio (Baltimore Debut)

Igor Levit has become “one of the essential artists of his generation” (The New York Times), renowned for his extraordinary technique and musicianship. The German pianist is also known as a politically engaged, cultural omnivore with life-affirming artistry who has cited Thelonious Monk and hip-hop among his influences. He makes his long-awaited Baltimore Debut with an all-Beethoven program featuring the “Tempest” sonata’s dramatic intensity and the “Waldstein”’s heroic brilliance.

Igor Levit, piano (Baltimore Debut)

A singular pianist, Hélène Grimaud is known for performances that are “bold, daring, beautiful, and intelligent” (Forbes). She approaches repertoire with a rare artistic freedom, creating “highly personal explorations that can stand out among dozens of rival performances” (The New Yorker). Returning to Baltimore for the first time in 10 years, the French pianist performs the final sonatas of Beethoven and Schubert, works of profound introspection and searing beauty.

Hélène Grimaud, piano

Acclaimed as an “outstanding ensemble” (The New York Times) with a “big, vibrant sound” (San Diego Union), the Verona Quartet has soared to prominence in recent years with prizes and performances across four continents. The sensational Steven Banks, “the saxophone’s best friend, fiercest advocate, and primary virtuoso in the classical realm” (The Washington Post), joins the group to explore the expressive vitality of works by Christopher Theofanidis and Mozart.

Verona Quartet Steven Banks, saxophone (Baltimore Debut)

Grammy-winning violinist Midori, an international superstar known for “violin playing at the highest level” (Chicago Tribune), has transfixed audiences around the world for over 40 years.  Hailed for the “simply magical” (Houston Chronicle) quality of her playing, she is a visionary artist, activist, and educator whose career has transcended traditional boundaries. She returns to our stage with frequent collaborator Ozgur Aydin for a solo recital.

Midori, violin Özgür Aydin, piano (Baltimore Debut)

With their “remarkable maturity and musicality” and “superb ensemble playing” (Hyde Park Herald, Chicago), the Terra String Quartet has won a slew of prizes in the past year, including top honors at the prestigious Naumberg Chamber Music Competition, and is currently in residence at the Yale School of Music. They make their Baltimore Debut with a program featuring rich, colorful works by Debussy and Beethoven.

Terra String Quartet (Baltimore Debut)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

The boundary-defying Trio Afiori brings together three of today’s most dynamic artists: clarinetist Anthony McGill, mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, and pianist Gloria Chien. Recognized individually with Grammy Awards and other honors, they unite for a vivid exploration of storytelling and cultural heritage. Their program juxtaposes lyrical works of today, including Valerie Coleman’s Angels, inspired by President Lincoln’s first inaugural address, with two cherished works by Brahms.

Trio Afiori (Baltimore Debut)

The chamber orchestra Les Violons du Roy takes its name from the renowned string orchestra of the court of the French kings and is admired for its “brisk, rhythmically bracing, at times exultant performances” (Los Angeles Times). The Québécois ensemble is joined by the Grammy nominated mandolinist Avi Avital, described by The New York Times as “nothing short of electric,” for a program of Baroque concerti.

Les Violons du Roy Avi Avital, mandolin

Enjoy an afternoon getting to know the artistry of one of Peabody Conservatory’s top talents. Pianist Yi-Chen Feng, winner of the 2026 Yale Gordon Competition, has already performed at Carnegie Hall, Taiwan’s National Recital Hall, and China’s Hangzhou Grand Theater, as well as with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. His recital will dazzle with artistry and virtuosity at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Yi-Chen Feng, piano (Winner of the 2026 Yale Gordon Competition)

The Calidore String Quartet has “the kind of sublimity other quartets spend a lifetime seeking” hailed The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times celebrated the group’s “deep reserves of virtuosity and irrepressible dramatic instinct.” Exploring musical connections across the centuries, the Quartet performs works by Haydn, Caroline Shaw, and Anna Clyne, and Beethoven’s monumental Grosse Fuge.

Calidore String Quartet

SHCS’s 60th season opens with the pioneering Sphinx Virtuosi, an 18-member self-conducted string orchestra and flagship ensemble of the Sphinx Organization. With “immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty” (The Washington Post) these masterful players make their Baltimore debut with a program devoted to peace and the resilience of the human spirit. Acclaimed young cellist Sterling Elliott joins as soloist for American composer’s William Grant Still’s Suite, inspired by Harlem Renaissance sculptures.

Sphinx Virtuosi (Baltimore Debut) Sterling Elliott, cello

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