Concerto For Violin And Orchestra / String Quartet No. 1 / Trio, For Violin, Viola Violoncello, Op. 45

This 1953 release from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers represents a significant effort to bring the avant-garde sounds of the Second Viennese School and American contemporary composers to a broader audience. Issued under the catalog numbers CB 180 and CB 181, the record serves as a testament to the mid-century institutional support for modern classical music, featuring high-caliber performances by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under William Steinberg and the New Music String Quartet.

The compositions included represent a deliberate curation of complex, challenging works from the early 20th century, juxtaposing the rigorous expressionism of Alban Berg and Arnold Schoenberg with the distinct, often more accessible voice of Virgil Thomson. The recording was designed to bridge the gap between academic interest and the home listening market, providing listeners with a chance to engage with rigorous contemporary arrangements that were gaining traction in the cultural zeitgeist of the post-war era.