The sextet Eighth Blackbird devotes itself to contemporary music and has commissioned many works from modern composers. The group is notable for the range of its collaborations with other musicians, nonmusical creative artists, and musical institutions. Eighth Blackbird has recorded for Cedille, Bridge, Nonesuch, and other labels. In 2024, the group released the album David Lang: composition as explanation.
Comprising players of the flute, clarinet, piano, violin, cello, and percussion instruments, Eighth Blackbird was formed in 1996 by students at the Oberlin Conservatory in...