Tower described the composition in the score program notes, writing:It is really a fantasy for violin and orchestra exploring different kinds of feelings that range from a robust Romantic tune for orchestra to sharply etched rhythmic punctuations to a very soft passage that descends from the highest celestial reaches of the violin.
The last section is fast, and takes as its thematic basis a motive from Bartók’s Contrasts for clarinet, violin and piano, an idea that has frequently appeared in other of my works.
[1]The work is scored for solo violin and an orchestra comprising two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, trombone, timpani, two percussionists, and strings.
[1] The music critic Leslie Wright called the piece "well constructed and colorfully orchestrated."
He added, "I found the concerto convincing overall, though the violin's fast, repetitive solos became a bit tiresome after a while.