Travelling in Europe at the outbreak of World War I, Brodsky was interned for about six months as a Russian alien. This concert came about when Brodsky met Monsieur Mensenkamff, who had been arrested as a suspected Russian spy. The two collaborated to create this piece of music which Brodsky performed in public with members of his quartet and the college’s students. The proceeds of the concerts went to help the students of the RMCM.

The war meant that many of the college's male student’s studies were interrupted to fight. Musicians earned a living by travelling to perform, this was made difficult by the fighting. Fundraisers like this would become commonplace to help support the college and its students.

Here two members of The Brodsky Quartet (Mr Arthur Catterall and Mr R. J. Forbes) are headlining a series of fundraising concerts for the RMCM. The war meant that many of the college's male students studies were interrupted to fight. Musicians earned a living by travelling to perform, this was made difficult by the fighting. Fundraisers like this would become commonplace to help support the college and its students.