Sometimes, the creative process does not go as planned . . . One evening in April, after watching Australian Story on the ABC, I walked into my kitchen and collapsed. When I came to, I was on the floor and in agony on my left side.

I called an ambulance, and at the hospital, I was told I needed surgery to remove a kidney stone that was stuck. During the operation the next day, they discovered another two stones. The surgeon said I needed to recover from the first surgery, then they’d do a second operation, and that I’d have to stay in hospital for two weeks.

Katia Beaugeais. Photo © Bridget Elliot

I said, “Hang on, I’ve got to finish composing my piano concerto. I’ll have the second surgery after that,” but they said that wasn’t possible. I was freaking out. Fortunately, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra kindly extended my deadline and I have now fully recovered.

I’ve always wanted to compose a piano concerto. First up, I asked Stefan Cassomenos to be the soloist. I really love his playing, so thankfully he said yes straight away. I met him...