The Eastman Wind Ensemble, traditionally a group reserved for superior student performers, plays Stravinskys Octet on the recording, which is the ensembles first Avie release and marks the ensembles 60th anniversary. The album also features the Eastman Virtuosi, made up of renowned faculty members of the Eastman School, performing LHistoire du soldat (The Soldiers Tale); longtime New York City Opera artist Jan Opalach narrates the story along with portraying the folk tales two protagonists: Joseph the Soldier and the Devil. The conductor for both works is Mark Scatterday, who continues in a prestigious lineage as only the fourth conductor in the history of the Eastman Wind Ensemble.

Stravinskys music figured early in the Eastman Wind Ensembles history. His Symphonies for Wind Instruments was performed on a 1951 program conducted by Frederick Fennell that led to the establishing of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, which went on to be dubbed Americas premier wind band by Fanfare and whose recordings were lauded by The New York Times for their insightful, passionate readings.In 1966, the 83-year-old Stravinsky made his sole visit to the Eastman School, overseeing performances of several of his works. This Avie release is the first recording the Eastman ensembles have made in the new rehearsal hall of the Eastman East Wing.