In his Oboe Concerto, Edwards has sought to imbue the traditional concerto with elements of theater, ritual and dance, while preserving its concert hall function as an accompanied soloistic display. For example, the work begins with the stage in darkness; the soloist enters from the wings, playing a cadenza. Gradually, the lights go on and she moves through the orchestra, playing to various members of the string section. Characteristically for Edwards, the texture is dominated by an almost kaleidoscopic interplay of material gleaned from the natural environment and diverse cultural sources, whose symbolic meaning remains ultimately and tantalizingly elusive. There are, however, references to other Edwards works, notably Dawn Mantras and Symphony No. 2 (Earth Spirit Songs), whose common theme is renewal.

Apart from his Oboe Concerto, Edwards�s output includes four symphonies, the violin concerto Maninyas, and the internationally acclaimed Dawn Mantras, which ushered in the new millennium from the sails of the Sydney Opera House. He also composed the film score for Bruce Beresford�s Paradise Road.