On 15 March 1938, Willner left Austria for Paris to escape the German Anschluss of Austria; he moved to England later that year. After arriving in England, Willner received an invitation through the Jewish Centre, Woburn House from Arthur Franklin, director of Routledge &amp; Co, to stay at Chartridge House, Buckinghamshire. Willner stayed for two months, during which time he composed the "English Concerto for Chamber Orchestra" (Op. 98). This work is one of only three English-themed works in his entire known output (the others being the "Hereford Suite" (Op. 102) and a handful of English songs).