Eight Strings & a Whistle has been committed to presenting and expanding the repertoire for the unique combination of flute, viola, and cello since 1998. A cutting-edge presence, the Trio champions Baroque, Classical, and Romantic repertoire  and collaborates regularly with a wide roster of living composers, premiering and performing their pieces throughout the concert season. 

The ensembles appearances include performances at the Festival Música Contemporánea de la Habana (Havana, Cuba), the Festival of New American Music (Sacramento CA), the Spectri Sonori Series at Tulane University (New Orleans LA), the Stern Virtuoso Series at Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs NY), and the University of Maine campuses at Presque Isle and Fort Kent. Performances in New York City include concerts at the Tenri Cultural Institute, the 2014 Queens New Music Festival, Spectrum, Merkin Concert Hall, and Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space. Television and radio appearances include “Minding Your Business,” hosted by June Middleton (MNN TV), and Maine Public Radio’s live performance series with host Suzanne Nance. Winner of the Artists International Special Presentation Award, Eight Strings & a Whistle performed its critically acclaimed New York Debut at Merkin Concert Hall in May 2003. 

Eight Strings & a Whistle’s most recent recording, AND NOTHING REMAINS THE SAME (RR8061) was released on Ravello Records in November 2021. Other recordings on Ravello Records include the Trio’s debut album, ALBERT’S WINDOW (RR7918), released in November 2015, and 96 STRINGS AND 2 WHISTLES, a recording of the music of Scott Brickman featuring Eight Strings & a Whistle with pianist Beth Levin, released In August 2016. The Trio can also be heard on Douglas Anderson’s CHAMBER SYMPHONIES 2, 3 & 4 (RR7923, Ravello Records, January 2016) and TULPE, a recording of music by Sarah Davol and GRAMMY-nominated artist Dawn Avery (Okenti Records, January 2008). 

In June 2017, the ensemble launched its first 8SW Composer Competition to further its desire to promote chamber music for the flute, viola, and cello, and to encourage the writing of contemporary chamber music in general. The competition is held once every two years.

Albums

And Nothing Remains the Same

Release Date: November 19, 2021
Catalog Number: RR8061
21st Century
Chamber
Cello
Flute
Viola
On ...AND NOTHING REMAINS THE SAME... from Eight Strings & a Whistle and Ravello Records, the flute-viola-cello trio explores the constant cycle of transformation that defines human existence. Since 1998, Eight Strings & a Whistle has earned a reputation for championing Baroque, Classical, and Romantic repertoire while also premiering new works from living composers. ...AND NOTHING REMAINS THE SAME... focuses on the music of contemporary composers, the majority of whom composed their pieces specifically for the Trio. The performances heard on the album offer a rewarding and intimate listening experience, with a deeply evocative sound rife with stark dissonance and rich harmony.

96 Strings and 2 Whistles

Release Date: August 12, 2016
Catalog Number: RR7940
21st Century
Chamber
Flute
Piano
Viola
Composer Scott Brickman demonstrates the diversity of his inspirations and musical interests on his third full album on Ravello Records, NINETY-SIX STRINGS AND TWO WHISTLES. Drawing on a sea of influences, from Baroque dance suites, to the compositional methods of Arnold Schoenberg, to punk rock, the mixture of popular and historic references broadly typifies post-modern American music composition.

Albert’s Window

Release Date: November 13, 2015
Catalog Number: RR7918
21st Century
Chamber
Cello
Flute
Viola
From Stravinsky-esque rhythms and impressionistic harmonies to Xerox® machine-inspired gestures, Eight Strings & a Whistle – comprised of flutist Suzanne Gilchrest, violist Ina Litera, and cellist Matthew Goeke – present a diverse selection of contemporary and 20th-century works that highlight the ensemble’s blend of technical prowess and emotive interpretation on their debut Ravello Records release ALBERT’S WINDOW.