The band was formed by three Juilliard students Michael Kamen, Marty Fulterman (now known as Mark Snow) and Dorian Rudnytsky, plus two rock musicians Brian Corrigan and Clif Nivison.
After the new group's first gig at a Juilliard Halloween dance in 1967, they were signed by Atlantic Records where Ahmet Ertegün was quoted by one of the members as having said in jest, "You play all the right notes on all the wrong instruments."
This track showed the group at their best, starting off as a straight rendition featuring two oboes, guitar and cello, then transitioning into a rock tune, while continuing to use Bach's musical foundation.
Because Reflections was such a departure from their "classical/rock" roots, it apparently sold poorly when released and at least one member of the group believed that it hurt their popularity by confusing their fan base.
Rhythm guitarist Brian Corrigan departed after the third album, and the only movie appearance by the group in Zachariah which featured an extended version of Kamen's song "Gravedigger".
During these gigs the group would play a solo set and then join with the orchestra to perform an orchestral version of Kamen's rock song "Anaconda," and his "Winter Child", based on the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations.