The piece was first performed in the US in 2006 at the Rockport (Maine) Chamber Music Festival. In his programme notes for the world debut, Harbison wrote that the title 'refers to an important episode in our country's history'.

'Abu Ghraib, while inscribed on our nation's consciousness by photographs and reports, has been absorbed into the nation's bloodstream, its long-term effects yet to be known,' he wrote.

He did not intend the piece as a 'protest or moral lesson'.

'These would require little bravery. Instead, it seeks music in a moment when words can fail,' Harbison said.

The piece reflects a plea for help and includes refrains from an Iraqi song, suggesting 'that by entering a difficult meditative world we may find courage to face our own shadow', Harbison wrote.