The Philharmonic will give the world premiere of Lieberson's The World in Flower, which it commissioned, starting May 25. The piece, which focuses on Shotoku Taishi, the emperor who introduced Buddhism to Japan, is written for solo voices and chorus. The soloists include soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Lieberson's wife and frequent collaborator.

Lieberson's previous works include the Piano Concerto, the short symphony Drala, and the cycle Neruda Songs, which Lorraine Hunt Lieberson premiered with the Los Angeles Philharmonic last year.