John Harbison, composer of Violin Sonata No. 1, received the 1987 Pulitzer Prize in Music for his cantata The Flight into Egypt.
This album features world premiere recordings of the Violin Sonatas by Paul Schoenfeld and John Harbison, and Leonard Bernstein's Canon for Aaron.
The three violin sonatas on this album by Paul Schoenfeld, Steven Stucky, and John Harbison were all commissioned by violinist Cho-Liang Lin.
Leonard Bernstein's Canon for Aaron was composed for Aaron Copland's 70th birthday celebration in 1970, and Bernstein performed it with Isaac Stern.
John Harbison stated that his Violin Sonata No. 1 is called 'No. 1' because he intends to write more works for violin and piano.
Steven Stucky, whose Violin Sonata is featured on this album, won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his Second Concerto for Orchestra.
Violinist Cho-Liang Lin plays a 1715 'Titian' Stradivarius.
