Clyne wrote of this inspiration in the score program notes:As is true today, these concerts were a place where people from all walks of life mingled to enjoy a wide array of music.
Combined with costumes, masked guises and elaborate settings, masquerades created an exciting, yet controlled, sense of occasion and celebration.
"[2] The work is scored for an orchestra comprising two flutes, piccolo, two oboes, cor anglais, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, three trumpets, two trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, three percussionists, harp, and strings.
[2] Reviewing the world premiere, Fiona Maddocks of The Guardian called Masquerade a "short, glistening" piece.
[4] Also writing for The Guardian, the music critic Martin Kettle called the piece "an appealingly exuberant curtain-raiser.