Aria with Commentary, for James Tennant and Edward King, was inspired by the composer's experience of walking through the streets of Florence, Italy in 2008 and overhearing the mixture of conversation, singing and arguments going on amongst the people in the city. In this work, one cello often presents a melody line while the other offers comments on it. This musical dialogue ranges from sympathetic lyricism to ripostes and disagreement. Occasionally the parts exchange roles.