Runaway Bells was inspired by the resounding peal of Halifax Minster’s bells on a Sunday morning, whose shifting harmonies and rhythmic interplay became a familiar and fascinating presence. The constantly changing sonorities, seeming to ebb and flow from moment to moment, provided the initial spark for the work.

This vibrant orchestral piece captures that spontaneous energy through sparkling textures, dynamic rhythmic patterns and insistent melodic ideas, unfolding in a fast-paced and exhilarating musical tapestry. Commissioned for the Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra, Runaway Bells received its premiere at St Paul's Hall, University of Huddersfield in December 2017.