Another Grammy for eighth blackbird

The new-music sextet eighth blackbird, currently in its ninth year in residence at the University of Richmond, has won its third Grammy Award, in the chamber music category, for “Meanwhile,” its Cedille recording of music by Stephen Hartke.

The Hartke work also won a Grammy for best contemporary composition. “Meanwhile,” subtitled
“Incidental music to imaginary puppet plays,” was first performed by the ’birds at UR in 2007. They reprised the piece several times here and played it frequently on tour before recording it.

The group’s next Richmond performance will be on March 20 at the Modlin Arts Center. Composer Nico Muhly will join the ’birds in a program featuring his works.