Passacaglia was commissioned and first performed by Rachel Firmager, who gave the first performance with the composer at the New Music Brighton 1999 Brighton Festival concert at St Nicholas Church. It is, in fact, a double passacaglia with one or both of the main ideas introduced at the opening being present throughout, until the work?s closing section. Despite its strict formal construction, it is not necessary for the listener to be aware of this to appreciate the music?s intended emotional impact.