The premiere featured pianist Yuja Wang and the National Symphony Orchestra under conductor Andrew Litton.
[1][3] The work is scored for solo piano and an orchestra comprising two flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, harp, timpani, two percussionists, and strings.
Reviewing the world premiere, Anne Midgette of The Washington Post called it "a big, meaty, somewhat discursive concerto" and said, "the piece gave one so much to listen to that it flew by, and left one wanting to hear it again, which is no mean feat for a brand-new work.
The piano proceeds to engage in a vigorous dialogue with the orchestra throughout the first movement, which is punctuated by fluttering horn riffs and a striking, march-like theme that makes a few telling appearances.
On first hearing, the second movement seems a little padded with material, but there are many arresting features as Higdon makes effective use of piquant chromaticism.