Commissioned by the London Saxophone Quartet, this work immediately became firmly established in the repertoire and is invariably well received by audiences. Paul Harvey says 'It is unique in that it is the only saxophone quartet of major proportions and universal appeal by a British composer'. The first movement has echoes of Elgar, the second is a Scherzo in the true playful sense of the word, with a Musette as a middle section. The third movement, the most profound part of the work, contains some beautiful voicing for the quartet. The Finale alla marcia con spirito sums the whole thing up with a great feeling of optimism.