This is the first movement of a 5-movement piece for string orchestra. I wrote it in 1990, when I was in hospital for a major operation and, bored out of my wits after surgery, I began to make musical note of the people who came into and went out of the ward. This movement represents these busy people at their work, always seeming in a rush with no time to settle. I apologise to the celli for the repetitve nature of their part, but it is just as important as any of the others. The constant ticking over keeps the rest of the music driving. (Besides, they get their own back later!)