MacMillan described the movements in the score programme notes, writing:The first opens with a gradual building up of rhythmic layers on violas, bassoon and trumpet before the soloist joins in.
The reflective character of the movement is interrupted by little dyadic patterns, various pizzicato outbursts, some scherzo-like material and agitated faster passages, but the principal mood is introverted and cantabile.
[1]The work is scored for solo oboe and an orchestra comprising two flutes, cor anglais, two clarinets, bassoon, contrabassoon, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings.
David Honigmann of the Financial Times highly praised the concerto, saying, "Oboists may feel ruefully that musical history owes them a showpiece.
They have one now: James MacMillan's Oboe Concerto turns the soloist into a nimble-footed musical athlete, a star opera singer, a dazzling Highland dancer, all in the space of three varied movements.