Eighth Blackbird is a contemporary classical ensemble, renowned for their energetic performances, cultural relevance, and modern classical compositions. Founded in 1996 at the Oberlin Conservatory, the group derives its name from the eighth stanza of Wallace Stevens’ poem "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," which alludes to the notion of the elusive beauty of art. The ensemble consists of six virtuosic musicians who often perform from memory, blurring the lines between the performers and the audience.

Their adventurous spirit in both programming and performance has garnered them multiple awards, including four Grammy Awards. They have a strong commitment to new music, frequently commissioning and collaborating with contemporary composers. Their discography includes works that reflect a penchant for both the new and the unusual, such as "Fumbling", "Hand Eye", and "Filament". They have also ventured into cross-genre collaborations, as is evident in projects like "When We Are Inhuman", a partnership with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, and "Olagón: A Cantata in Doublespeak", which features original music by Dan Trueman in collaboration with vocalist Iarla Ó Lionáird and poet Paul Muldoon. With Eighth Blackbird’s continual strive for innovation, they remain at the forefront of modern music, challenging, inspiring, and enchanting audiences around the world.

Genres

21st Century Classical

Modern Chamber Music

Modern Performance

Latest Release

composition as explanation (artist cut)

David Lang•

eighth blackbird

Album - 11 Tracks - Released July 12, 2024