John Verrall (1908-2001) was a 20th century American composer whose body of work includes a wide variety of instrumental, orchestral, chamber and vocal music, as well as three operas and a film score. During his long tenure on the faculty at the University of Washington, John Verrall was a beloved teacher and mentor to hundreds of young composers and performers, including Michael Davenport, then a young clarinetist at the university. It was through her father and duo partner Michael that Kimberly became aware of Verrall's powerful Piano Sonata. Her fascination with the work led to the discovery of more, and finally to this recording.

Kimberly Davenport is best known for her piano work with Duo Alea, which has released three critically acclaimed CDs. The program on this CD was conceived in the same spirit as these earlier recordings - with a passion for bringing to life powerful music which has remained largely and undeservedly 'in the drawer' - unpublished and underperformed.