Over the past few years, Albany Records' progressive releases of the piano music of Allen Shawn have made it clear that this is one of the most substantial and memorable bodies of work for the instrument of any living American composer. Because Shawn is one of the major American composer-pianists, someone who can take on fearsome technical demands and deliver real interpretive value as he surmounts them, these performances are especially important as documents not only of the music but also of the interpretation and performance of the works. In addition to his five piano sonatas, Shawn performs his Etudes and Five Piano Pieces. On the faculty of Bennington College, Shawn grew up in New York City. In addition to his piano music, his works include a Symphony; concertos for piano, cello, violin, and oboe and a double concerto for clarinet and cello as well as numerous chamber works for varied ensembles. This is the sixth recording on Albany Records devoted exclusively to his music.