The piece was first performed at the Barbican Centre on May 12, 2010 by the violinist Vadim Repin and the London Symphony Orchestra under the conductor Valery Gergiev.
[1][2] The Violin Concerto has a duration of roughly 25 minutes and is composed in three movements:[1] The work is scored for solo violin and an orchestra comprising two flutes, two oboes, cor anglais, two clarinets, bassoon, contrabassoon, two horns, two trumpets, two trombones, tuba, timpani, two percussionists, piano, and strings.
Reviewing the world premiere, David Nice of The Arts Desk lauded, "As soloist Vadim Repin and conductor Valery Gergiev whirled us tumultuously through its hyperactive songs and dances, there was so much I wanted to savour, to hear again.
He added:On one level it's a brilliant tour de force which does everything a virtuoso could wish, combining some of the fast, furious, fiddling reels complete with signature drum the bodhrán which are in MacMillan's musical DNA with the necessary chance to let the violin sing - and how, in Repin's dazzling, pitch-perfect performance.
[3]The piece received similar praise in the United States, where Steve Smith of The New York Times wrote, "Mr. MacMillan’s estimable mastery of orchestral timbre and effect is evident throughout.