I wrote two albums worth of “Sad Piano” pieces during the pandemic and afterwards. Magnificently recorded by Andrea Lam and released on ABC Music, people have been writing to me describing them as heart wrenching, beautiful and very emotional.

Those who know some of my music may be a little surprised at this, for a few reasons. Early in my career I was known for my high-energy compositions, many of which, such as Speed, RPM, Rush and Homage to Metallica, are still performed around the world.

Some have described my approach as iconoclastic. I’ve been interested in bringing some aspects of high-impact popular music into the classic world. At one point I was even described in some publications as “the bad boy of classical music” (whatever that means.)

What could possibly possess me to write a set of music pieces called Sad Piano?

This question goes to the heart of what it is to be a composer. Composers of all different times, places, and ages have used different sources of inspiration. Think of Bach and religion. Think of Ross Edwards and the sounds of insects. Think of Anne Boyd and the music of...