Having previously been granted the diploma of the Bologna Academy in December 2011, Maxwell Davies wrote his Concerto Accademico as both an expression of gratitude to the Regia Academia Filarmonico di Bologna and also in part “a presentation of academic qualification, to justify this singular honour”. The work is scored for string quartet and string orchestra and is based on a plainsong chant, heard at the outset, associated with the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples at Pentecost, and their subsequent speaking in tongues.