Press Quotes
“The custom of presenting a winner of the Sphinx Competition for young African-American and Latino string players continued with the second and third movements from Saint-Saens’ Cello Concerto No. 1, featuring 14-year-old Gabriel Cabezas. Remember the name. He gave a remarkably poised and elegant account, with superb attention to phrasing, nuance and tonal coloration.”
- Donald Rosenberg, The Plain Dealer
“Gabriel Cabezas is a fantastic cellist and musician with a stellar technique, a brilliant intellect and a creative musical mind. Gabriel's contagious joy of performing and his uncanny ability to communicate with the audience assure us that the classical music world is indeed in great hands.”
- Hans Jørgen Jensen, Professor of Cello
School of Music – Northwestern University
“Mr. Cabezas was the 2006 winner of the Sphinx Competition, held yearly in Michigan to encourage and increase youth and minority involvement in classical music. Playing from memory with brilliant technique, appropriate emotion, and a gorgeous sound, the young soloist was applauded vigorously by members of the orchestra (The Cleveland Orchestra) as well as the capacity audience. He’ll be back, soon, without question.”
- Kelly Ferjuts, Adelphia.net
“…to the luster and range of the sound that he obtained with his instrument, Cabezas added an interpretative maturity unusual for someone so young (he turned fifteen years old not long ago). This was evidenced by the nobility and expressivity of his phrasing, colors and tonalities, and his passionate and spontaneous delivery.”
- Andrés Saénz, La Nación (Costa Rica)
“It wasn't hard to see why the judges (of The 2006 Sphinx Competition) liked him (Cabezas). He's an intense player who connects to the music naturally, without artifice, and brings a singing line to the cello. The concerto's rhapsodic qualities bloomed under his touch.”
- David Stabler, The Oregonian
“Nothing makes me happier than knowing I have written music that talented musicians enjoy performing, and your enjoyment was very clear in your performance (of the premiere of M. Abels’ “Delights and Dances”).”
- Michael Abels, Composer
“The judges and I were all truly moved by your playing. It is rare when judging a competition that one is able to stop and just allow themselves to experience the music with the performer; last Thursday, you definitely succeeded in drawing us in, which is what a great performance is supposed to do.”
- Andre J. Gaskins, Assistant Professor of Cello - Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, and Music Director & Conductor - Columbus Ballet
“In his national debut at the Eugene O'Neill Theater on Thursday the 25th (October 2007), Cabezas revealed himself as a superior musical talent with a solid technical preparation."
- Andrés Saénz, La Nación (Costa Rica)
“This year's Finals Concert featured a winning performance by Gabriel Cabezas, an incredibly gifted young cellist. His charismatic stage presence and moving performance of J.C. Bach's Concerto in C Minor made a lasting impression on the audiences and the esteemed jury panel alike, granting him the honors of the First Place Laureate.”
- Sphinx Center Stage
“Overall a wonderful performance. Bravo! Great style, shape and instrumental freedom and projection. Artistic personality; very mature for such a young age. Bravo!”
- Sergiu Schwartz, The William B. and Sue Marie Turner Distinguished Faculty Chair in Music – Schwob School of Musicat Columbus State University
“Intonation, preparation, stage presence, musical concept, tempi – all wonderful. Authoritative, totally secure, beautiful musician. Congratulations! (I) look forward to accompanying you one day when you solo with the C.S.O.”
- Alison Dalton, 1st Violin Chicago Symphony Orchestra
“BRAVO. I am virtually speechless. This was an unbelievable performance. Very compelling music making, incredible poise – you are a natural performer who was born to play the cello. I look forward to hearing about the development of your career.”
- Andre J. Gaskins, Assistant Professor of Cello - Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, and Music Director & Conductor - Columbus Ballet
“Supremely confident… I’m impressed with your level of concentration and involvement with the music – keep up the splendid work!”
- David Schrader, Professor The Music Conservatory - Roosevelt University
“Gabriel Cabezas offered an inspirational delivery of the J.C. Bach Concerto in C Minor, with a beautiful tone and a disarmingly musical approach to his music-making.”
- The Quarter Note Newsletter
“You have a very special talent for the cello! Your sense of musical line is outstanding.”
- David Geber, Dean of Performance and Co-Chair of The Strings Department - The Manhattan School of Music
“Outstanding to hear such gifts in one so young. Bravo!”
- George Taylor, Associate Professor of Viola – Eastman School of Music
“He was so mature. He plays like an old man.”
- Mei-Ann Chen, Conductor & Music Director - The Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
Community Outreach
Gabriel’s active participation in community outreach initiatives exemplifies his quest to promote music appreciation, education and curation for young adults and children. Gabriel's outreach work complements The Sphinx Organization’s mission to administer and encourage youth development through music education.
Gabriel actively supports and participates in other community outreach programs for the youth through entities such From The Top in the United States, and the Programa Nacional de Educación Musical (SINEM) of the Ministerio de Cultura y Juventud / Ministry of Culture and Youth in Costa Rica.
An eloquent communicator, Gabriel enjoys relating his experiences as a young musician with children and young adults, as well as with their parents and teachers. He has been fortunate to visit several schools and organizations through these commnity outreach programs .
THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
Educational programs in conjunction with
THE CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
PREPARATORY DIVISION
“...great comments about Gabriel. He was extraordinary; the Orchestra loved him, the audience loved him, the kids at the outreach session loved him - all around a terrific experience for us."
– Joan Katz Napoli, Director of Education
The Cleveland Orchestra
"Gabriel visited our program this winter and the students are still talking about him! Gabriel is articulate, intelligent and charming. He is an incredibly gifted cellist, but also has a warm and engaging personality that enables him to connect with students on a personal level. What a joy and inspiration he was! We hope he will visit again in the near future. "
– Dr. Melissa Kraut, Coordinator - Cello Studies
The Cleveland Institute of Music
Preparatory Division
THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA
Educational programs in conjunction with
THE REDLANDS CHRISTIAN IMMIGRANT ASSOCIATION’S WIMAUMA ACADEMY
“Gabriel is a very nice, sweet and talented boy. Our students enjoyed the visit very much, and Gabriel was an excellent role model for them to meet.”
– Marcela Estevez, Administrative Liaison
The Wimauma Academy
THE PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Educational rogramsin conjunction with
BARNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and
BEECH ELEMENTARY SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM
“Bringing Gabriel to start the PYP (Portland Youth Philharmonic) season is not only an opportunity to showcase a Latino classical musician, but also a chance to reach out to the Latino community through partnerships with organizations such as OHCA and Miracle Theatre Group and with the school outreach program. Gabriel not only serves as an inspiration to aspiring young Latino musicians – who are greatly underrepresented in orchestras – but also for all of PYP’s current young cellists .”
–
Mei-Ann Chen, Conductor and Music Director
The Portland Youth Philharmonic