SPHINX VIRTUOSI WITH RANDALL GOOSBY RETURN WITH PROKOFIEV, CLARICE ASSAD & WILLIAM GRANT STILL
(IRVINE, CA, FEBRUARY 18, 2026)—Sphinx Virtuosi, the self-conducted string orchestra described by The New York Times as "top-notch...more essential at this moment than ever," returns on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 8pm with acclaimed violinist Randall Goosby. After appearing in the Philharmonic Society’s virtual Triumph Over Adversity Festival of 2021, the ensemble makes its much-anticipated live debut at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The program, titled “Visions of Peace,” features a collection of new and familiar voices, with music by Prokofiev, Clarice Assad, and William Grant Still. A pre-concert lecture by KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen will take place at 7pm. This performance is part of the Henry T. & Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation Select Series and is also part of the Philharmonic Society’s America@250 Celebration.
The concert includes Quenton Blache’s Visions of Peace, a newly co-commissioned work by the Sphinx Organization, Carnegie Hall, and New World Symphony, which premiered on October 17, 2025, at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium Perelman Stage. Also on the program is William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin or Cello and String Orchestra, arranged by violinist Randall Goosby and co-commissioned by the Sphinx Organization and New World Symphony. Additional works include Clarice Assad’s Perpetual Motion; José White Lafitte’s La Bella Cubana; Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 7 “Stalingrad,” arranged for string orchestra by Rubén Rengel, and Manuel Ponce’s Estrellita, also arranged by Rengel.
Praised by The New York Times for his “sheer virtuosity,” and a protégé of the legendary Itzhak Perlman, Randall Goosby made his debut with the Jacksonville Symphony at age nine and with the New York Philharmonic in a Young People’s Concert at age thirteen. Goosby received his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Artist Diploma degrees from the Juilliard School and is an alumnus of the Perlman Music. He plays the Antonio Stradivarius, Cremona, “ex-Strauss,” 1708 on generous loan from Samsung Foundation of Culture.
In the 2023/24 season, Goosby was an Artist-in-Residence at London’s Southbank Centre which included a return to London Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 under the direction of Gemma New and featuring both recital and chamber concerts. In spring 2023, Goosby’s debut concerto album was released for Decca Classics together with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra performing violin concertos by Max Bruch and Florence Price. Goosby most recently appeared with the Philharmonic Society in the 2024/25 season, performing works by Bologne, Fauré, Chausson, and Schubert alongside pianist Zhu Wang at Soka Performing Arts Center, and previously appeared together during the 2022/23 season at Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Samueli Theater.
Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra and flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization. Comprised of 18 accomplished Black and Latino artists who reflect the highest level of musicianship in America, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve the breadth and impact of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement.
Since 2004, the Sphinx Virtuosi's concerts have been presented by leading arts organizations, including annual return visits to Carnegie Hall as an established highlight of the fall season. Frequently selling out venues, the ensemble has garnered effusive accolades, and their latest album, American Mirror, was hailed as “superbly recorded” by Musical America and “even more impressive than the first [album]” (Gramophone). Their debut album, Songs for Our Times, was released on Deutsche Grammophon in July 2023 to critical acclaim.
Commissions have included major new works from Michael Abels, Terence Blanchard, Valerie Coleman, Xavier Foley, Ricardo Herz, Jimmy Lopez, Jessie Montgomery, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and Carlos Simon. Outside of the classical realm, its musicians have also worked with leading international artists such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z and made high-profile appearances, including on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the broadcast of the 2022 GRAMMY Awards.
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is located at 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Ticket prices start at $31 and are available at the Philharmonic Society box office at (949) 553-2422, or online at www.philharmonicsociety.org, and at the Center’s box office at (714) 556-2787.
All artists, dates, venues, programs, and prices are subject to change.
ABOUT THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY:
Founded in 1954 as Orange County’s first music organization, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County presents national and international performances of the highest quality and provides dynamic and innovative music education programs for individuals of all ages to enhance the lives of Orange County audiences through music.
Since its inception, the Philharmonic Society has evolved and grown with the county’s changing landscape, presenting artists and orchestras who set the standard for artistic achievement from Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Yo-Yo Ma, and Renée Fleming to the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and many others. In addition, the Philharmonic Society celebrates multi-disciplinary performances under its Eclectic Orange brand and embraces music from a wide range of countries with its World Music performances. Its celebrated concerts introduce children to classical music with creative and inspiring performances, instilling music appreciation for future generations.
The Philharmonic Society’s nationally recognized Youth Music Education Programs, offered free of charge, engage more than 80,000 students annually through curriculum-based music education programs that aim to inspire, expand imaginations, and encourage learning at all levels. These programs are made possible by the Committees of the Philharmonic Society comprised of nearly 450 volunteer members who provide more than 50,000 hours of in-kind service each year. As a key youth program, the exceptional Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble provide top-tier training to the area’s most talented young musicians through multi-level ensemble instruction, leadership training, touring opportunities, challenging professional repertoire, and performances in world-class venues. The Philharmonic Society also promotes life-long learning connecting with colleges and universities to conduct masterclasses and workshops and providing pre-concert lectures to introduce audiences to program selections.
CONTACT:
Rosiana Falzon
(949) 553-2422, ext. 105
rosiana@philharmonicsociety.org
Marie Songco-Torres
(949) 553-2422, ext. 230
marie@philharmonicsociety.org