PROGRAMME NOTES

A Birthday Surprise

Orchestra 3(pic)333/4332/2perc/str (1979)

This arrangement of the well-known tune was commissioned by Midland Bank for the centenary of Sir Robert Mayer. The premiere was given by the Hallé Orchestra under Elgar Howarth in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, on 30 June 1979. The first recording was made by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Clark Rundell at Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, in 2015 and released on Heritage the following year.