We are pleased to offer this recording which, much like a typical Atlanta Chamber Players concert, celebrates diverse style periods and a variety of instrumental combinations. Featured is the debut recording of John Harbison s "Songs America Loves to Sing", which we co-commissioned and premiered in 2004. These ten "songs" alternately showcase each of the five instruments in solos and canons while spotlighting familiar American tunes, hymns and political anthems - ranging from "Amazing Grace" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" to "We Shall Overcome" and "Aura Lee". Throughout our performances to date of Songs - in Atlanta, Paris and Rome we have been inspired by this music s beautiful and original accompaniment settings, as well as awed by John Harbison's ability to craft a double inversion canon over a fixed harmonic scheme, enabling us to enjoy the "St. Louis Blues" in a whole new light.