I have known Matt Hardy since we worked together on a couple of projects as students at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. When earlier this year his newly-founded ensemble East London Music Group performed its debut concert in the Octagon, Queen Mary, University of London, I was coincidentally living just down the road in Bethnal Green, and very much enjoyed their compelling performance on Stravinsky’s The Soldiers Tale. I was delighted, therefore, when Matt approached me earlier this year to commission me to write a companion piece for William Walton’s Façade, to be premiered at Queen Mary on 24th November.