Ensemble-in-Residence Pacifica Quartet Wins Grammy

For the second year in a row, a University of Chicago ensemble has won a Grammy award.

At the 51st Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Pacifica Quartet -- an ensemble-in-residence in the University's Music Department -- received a Grammy for "Best Chamber Music Performance" of 2008.

The string quartet, which has been in residence at Chicago since 1998, was honored for its Naxos recording of the Elliott Carter String Quartets Nos. 1 and 5.

Last year,  eighth blackbird, another ensemble-in-residence in the University's Music Department, earned the  "Best Chamber Music Performance" of 2007 for their release, "strange imaginary animals.

Pacifica Quartet, renowned for its virtuosity and support of contemporary music,  includes violinists Simin Ganatra and Sibbi Bernhardsson, along with cellist Brandon Vamos and Masumi Per Rostad on viola.  The Grammy-winning recording was released to celebrate the composer Elliott Carter's centenary; it is the first of two discs of the complete String Quartets.

The Grammy is not the first honor for the Pacifica this year. The quartet was named "Ensemble of the Year" this month by Musical America, a highly regarded professional performing arts organization.

For more information about Pacifica, please visit : www.pacificaquartet.com

The Grammy-winners will be performing on the Chicago campus at 3 p.m on Sunday, April 19 in Mandel Hall (1131 E. 57th Street) with saxophonist Erik Ronmark.  For ticket information, please visit The University of Chicago Presents at  http://chicagopresents.uchicago.edu/