The concerto is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in A, two bassoons, four horns in F, two trumpets in A, timpani and strings.
The concerto was left unfinished by Respighi in 1903, probably due to his focus on other projects.
The work is mostly inspired by the violin concertos and other orchestral compositions of Johannes Brahms, Antonio Vivaldi, Felix Mendelssohn, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Max Bruch.
Using the autograph manuscripts, Di Vittorio has edited the first two movements, orchestrated the extant (pianoforte) introduction of the third movement, and then completed the concerto following Respighi's vision using rondo form.
The concerto received its world premiere with the Chamber Orchestra of New York under conductor Salvatore Di Vittorio on February 13, 2010 at the Church of St. Jean Baptiste in New York.