'A War Sinfonietta' was composed for the Salford Keys Brass Quartet - whose name takes inspiration from the docklands of western Manchester which played a pivotal role in both the industrial revolution and the world wars.
The work is in 4 short movements, each of which marking a landmark element or time period of the Quays. The 2 opening movements are inspired by 2 different works of art which are currently housed in the Imperial War Museum North, situated within the Quays themself. The latter 2 movements are inspired by Manchester's famous Ship Canal which passes through the Quays, and the period of the Blitz during World War II when much of western Manchester was targeted as the industrial hub of the city