Benjamin Britten is the best-known British composer of the 20th century, his music being both modern and readily accessible. He wrote music for every genre, from opera to folk-song arrangements, including the popular Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.

Britten composed three numbered string quartets of very differing moods, which are direct descendants of the quartets of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Quartet No. 3, dating from 1975, is of mainly gentle disposition, inspired by the beauty of Venice, and coming at the very end of the composer’s life.