Andrew Downes's friend and pianist, Duncan Honeybourne, suggested Andrew write a Double Bass Sonata for his recitals with David Daly, Principal Bass in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Duncan and David premiered the work at Christchurch Priory on 14 June 2007, as part of the Christchurch Festival.

The Horn Sonata was commissioned by Roland Horvath, horn player from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Roland was the founder of the Vienna Horn Society, of which James Lowe was a member. James Lowe, with American pianist, Ann Madison, gave the first performance of the work in the Theresianische Akademie in Vienna on 17 March 2001 and a second performance in a Salon Concert at the home of Roland Horvath in June 2001.

Having given a number of recitals with cellist, Sharon McKinley, Andrew's friend and pianist, Duncan Honeybourne suggested Andrew might be interested in writing a cello work for them to include in their concerts. The Sonata for Cello and Piano is very powerful, full of dramatic contrasts. Sharon and Duncan first performed it on 23 March 2004 in the Birmingham Conservatoire Music Xtra Festival. Andrew had founded this Festival for his School of Creative Studies at the Conservatoire in 1992 and organised a week of concerts every year thereafter.