After the Second World War, Vaughan-Williams was something of a "Grand Old Man" of English music. English music was blossoming (e.g. the appearance of Britten's opera Peter Grimes in 1945) and Vaughan-Williams' reaction to this, irreverent as always, was to write some of his most experimental works. These include the eighth symphony, which includes every percussion instrument the composer knew, a Romance for mouth organ, and this concerto for bass tuba and orchestra. It was written when he was aged 81, and first performed on 13th June 1954 by Philip Catelinet and the LSO under John Barbirolli. Critical reaction was not to take it too seriously - "an elephantine romp, humorous and salty" as Michael Kennedy calls it - but the composer himself took the task seriously enough. He discovered agility and melodic potential in an instrument few others had suspected, and created a work of lasting value.

The first movement is almost a march, in brisk 2/4 time, mostly in the home key of F minor. Quite short, it features a solo cadenza towards the end. The D major romanza is really beautiful, with a main theme as fine any Vaughan-Williams slow movement. Sung first by the violas, the tuba takes it over and explores it lovingly. The finale is short, quick and more chromatic, slithering into and out of keys rapidly, before another short cadenza and closing flourish.