The work was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony for its principal oboist William Bennett.
It was completed on October 18, 1991, and was given its world premiere by Bennett and the San Francisco Symphony under the conductor Herbert Blomstedt in 1992.
Peter Dickinson of Gramophone wrote, "The Oboe Concerto [...] is unusual in creating a jazz personality, including real bent notes, for the soloist—notably in the bluesy section of the first movement from 3'15"—and big band effects in the finale.
Harbison creates a series of decorative panels, almost Poulenc's technique (especially in the finale at 4'44"), skilfully laid out and often with an energy..."[2] Allan Kozinn of The New York Times further remarked:As modern oboe concertos go, Mr. Harbison's piece is less exotic than John Corigliano's and less dramatic than Elliott Carter's, but it has charms of its own.
In music that was alternately lyrical and rich in chromatic detail, Mr. Bennett was given room to stretch, but rarely to shine over the orchestra.