PP is a tiny occasional piece which was written as a birthday present for Paul Patterson, and was first performed by Aquarius, conducted by Nicholas Cleobury, during Paul’s 40th birthday concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 10th February 1987. Since the tune of “Happy birthday to you” is still in copyright, and cannot be used – audibly, at least – without craving permission and losing one’s hard-earned royalties, it is serially scrambled and (with luck) completely unrecognisable.

Giles Swayne 2008