Harbison won a prize for composition at the age of xvi. He exposed music at Harvard University, where he sang by owning a Harvard Glee Club, and down the road at Princeton. He is an Institute Professor of music at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He occurs as previous student of Walter Piston and Roger Sessions. His works include many symphonies, string quartette & the fiddle concerto.

While asked for his "artistic Credo" Harbison (1990) replied: "to make each piece different from the others, to find clear, fresh large designs, to reinvent traditions."

Harbison was commisioned per late Pope John Paul II to write a piece for the Vatican to be performed at a "Reconciliation Between Jews, Christians and Muslims" concert. Abraham, the Six microscopic composition for brass and choir, had its globe premiere in January 17, 2004.

He is married to fiddler Rose Mary Pederson.

Discography
A Flights into Egypt & more works by John Harbison (1990). Western hemisphere Records 80395-Two. Performed by The Cantata Singers and Ensemble, The Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, and The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by David Hoose, John Harbison, and Andre Previn. Tracks: