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eighth blackbird, University of Richmond's ensemble-in-residence, captures Grammy for best chamber music performance

February 11, 2008

eighth blackbird, University of Richmond's ensemble-in-residence, won the 2008 Grammy Award for best chamber music performance, presented Feb. 10.

The sextet received the award for its album "strange imaginary animals," which also earned Judith Sherman a Grammy as producer of the year, classical. A cut from the album, "Zaka," received a nomination for best classical contemporary composition for composer Jennifer Higdon.

"We were very happy with this disc from day one—it's probably our favorite, especially in terms of mastering and sound fidelity," said the group's cellist, Nicholas Photinos. "We were overjoyed even to be nominated for a Grammy, but to have won the award is almost unbelievable. We hope that the award will open doors to new collaborations, projects and ideas."

"strange imaginary animals" is the fourth disc that eighth blackbird has recorded for independent label Cedille. The album is one of the most -reviewed and acclaimed classical recordings of 2007.

BBC Music named the disc its September "CD Choice of the month" and gave it five out of five stars for both performance and sound.

The American Music Center gave the group its 2007 Trailblazer Award and a Meet the Composer award for achievements in music.

eighth blackbird also serves as ensemble-in-residence at the University of Chicago. The group's first CD, thirteen ways, featuring works by George Perle, David Schober, Joan Tower and Thomas Albert, was selected as a Top Ten CD of 2003 by Billboard magazine. In 2006, eighth blackbird debuted on the Naxos label in a performance of The Time Gallery, which the sextet commissioned from 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec.