Sextet seems almost superhuman

If the genome code someday becomes the basis for understanding and judging adventurous ensembles, musicians and listeners will pay particular attention to the lines and bars that define Eighth Blackbird. This sextet, which played its local debut Thursday at the Perelman Theater in the Kimmel Center's Fresh Ink series of contemporary music, appears to have coding fit for some future generation of musicians: players with extra fingers, added layers of metrical understanding, and hearing mechanisms that allow understanding of simultaneous differences in pitch.

Birds take flight in UR residency

The sextet eighth blackbird launched its residency at the University of Richmond last night with a program that punched all the buttons this group uses to connect listeners with often elusive contemporary art-music.

By Robert Coleman

Eighth Blackbird deftly navigates 'Split Horizon' at Deer Valley festival

PARK CITY - Taking flight from the norm, contemporary music ensemble eighth blackbird showed Wednesday night that a little New Age attitude can spice up Old World convention.

By John Aiello

Out on a limb

"Violence,'' "Dramamine,'' "Zaka'': Caramoor International Music Festival's Friday evening set list read a lot like a grunge album. And the players, twenty- and thirtysomethings in black, with open collars and form-fitting fashions, had a hint of renegade about them.

Eruption with a 19th Century slant

Ever wondered what Ed might sound like on the cello he took up a couple of years ago? Chicago-based classical string sextet "Eighth Blackbird" apparently has.

By Wynne Delacoma

CCP shines in challenging season opener

The University of Chicago's Contemporary Chamber Players has had its ups and downs since its founding four decades ago by the indomitable composer Ralph Shapey.