This unique setting of a jazz trio as part of a symphonic structure was a very successful experiment. The themes used at this recording session were taken from composers crossing four centuries: Bach, Chopin, Scriabin, Granados, and Faur?. The themes presented by these great composers were freely arranged by Claus Ogerman. He understood the conditions necessary to stimulate an improvising pianist of Evans' caliber. The intent of these arrangements was to provide a musical environment for improvisation, not to reproduce the original piano works. 

The jazz trio and the orchestra often work in dialogue. The piece begins with a statement from the drum set and is followed immediately by a statement from the piano which is answered by lush chords in the strings. The piano remains rhythmically free to swing the theme. The strings are rhythmically strict. The strings stop while the trio improvises jazz variations on the thematic material. The strings return playing long flowing lines while the trio replaces the swinging rhythms with Latin rhythms. 

This music has both structure and freedom. The process is very similar to improvising freely on a standard.