By Michael Markowitz
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Classical CD Highlights: December

Strange Imaginary Animals (Cedille CDR 90000094)

Cedille Records, an enterprising non-profit label based in Chicago, has a few interesting new releases. On one disc, titled Strange Imaginary Animals, the electrifying new-music sextet eighth blackbird performs a selection of world premieres, each of which calls for the musicians to use unorthodox techniques such as slapping the side of a clarinet or drastically detuning a violin string. The group, which takes a lighthearted approach that makes its concerts fun and accessible, plays works by Jennifer Higdon, Gordon Fitzell, David M. Gordon, Dennis DeSantis, and Steven Mackey.

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