Simon Rattle, conductor of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra and 1994 winner of the World Balloon-bursting Championships, is turning his hand to composition. He has composed a new piece of music, ironically entitled "Symphony Number 4.2", which uses notes and sounds never before heard, even by Mr Rattle himself. There is, as yet, no plan to perform the piece, as it can only be heard by people who have had their ears specially retuned.