The piece had its world premiere August 28, 2008 in Royal Albert Hall at The Proms, with the New York Philharmonic performing under conductor Lorin Maazel.
Although it is in one continuous movement, Rhapsodies is titled in the plural because it unrolls as a series of rhapsodic episodes, usually triggered by a single player whose ardent phrases gradually "infect" his neighbors until soon a whole section of the orchestra is sounding ecstatic.
"[3] Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times also lauded the work, remarking:The piece begins with a crackling outburst of pungent chords before a fidgety solo flute initiates the first rhapsody.
In one striking episode a piercing brass choir sets off a bevy of creeping chords and curious patterns of rising scales.
[4] Jeffrey Gantz of The Boston Globe was more critical, describing the piece as "a series of ecstatic outbursts in which one instrument essays an idea and others take it up."
"[6] Music critic Carla Rees similarly opined:The concept of a rhapsody gave the work an element of freedom, with quasi-improvisatory material evolving in a chain-like development.