This is the first time Haas, dubbed \"the Paganini of the timpani\" by Ovation Magazine, has performed the piece in his childhood \'home town.\' The second timpani soloist for the performance is Svetaslov Stoyanov, the young timpanist with whom Jonathan Haas gave the world premiere with the American Symphony in 2000.

The prestigious Chicago concert is the culmination of more than 38 performances by Jonathan of the Glass piece around the world, including at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops and with the Phoenix Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, Long Beach (California) Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony and Mexico City\'s Orquesta Filarmonica de la Ciudad de Mexico.

A previous performance in Milwaukee was praised by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, which said:

\"Haas showed the delicate side of the timpani. He dragged a mallet across the drumhead and pedaled its pitch, to evoke a whale song, and slapped the skins with his hands, conga-style. The big finish is a kick... The soloists played with confidence and vigor.\"

Jonathan Haas performed the European premiere with the BBC Symphony in London, the Czechoslovakian premiere with the Prague Symphony Orchestra at the International Music Prague Spring Festival, the Norwegian premiere with the Bergen Philharmonic, the Australian premiere with the Sydney Symphony and the Turkish premiere with the Istanbul Philharmonic.

The world premiere of a chamber orchestra version was presented with the Iris Chamber Orchestra in Memphis, and the world premiere of a wind ensemble version was performed in Baltimore at the Peabody Conservatory and subsequently at the University of Arizona. Glass\' Orange Mountain Music label has released the Concerto Fantasy on its \"Concerto Project Vol. I\" CD featuring Haas and Evelyn Glennie as soloists.

Previously percussionist Jonathan Haas attracted attention by playing with Frank Zappa, Black Sabbath and Aerosmith, and built the world\'s largest timpani drum.