• Composition: 1971. Arranged from the String Quartet No. 2. The transcription of the final movement was done by Sir Malcolm Arnold, under the composer’s supervision. Several changes were made in late 1973, in preparation for publication.
• First Performance: 2 March 1972. Octagon Theatre, Perth. Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Sir Neville Marriner conductor.
• Duration: About 27 minutes
• Movements: I. Allegro - II. Presto - III. Lento - IV. Allegro molto
• Craggs Catalogue Number: C53a
• Instrumentation: String orchestra
A note in the score reads: “The work should be played by not less than 6.4.4.4.3 players, but if necessary lower strongs may be reduced to 2 violas, 2 cellos, and 2 double basses (where the double bass part is divided into three, the third part may be omitted).”
• Manuscript: Frederick R. Koch Collection. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Manuscript FRKF 606b. Autograph full score. The fourth movement is in the hand of Sir Malcolm Arnold. 67 pages.
• Publication: Oxford University Press. Study score, 1973, 019 3684276. Parts on sale: violin I 019 3684284, violin II 019 3684292, viola 01 3684306, cello 019 3684314, doublebass 019 3684322 Score and parts are also available on hire.
• Recordings:
| Orchestra | Conductor | Year | Compact Disc | Timing |
| Guildhall String Ensemble | Robert Salter director | 1988 | RCA Victor RD 87846 | 26’30” |
| City of London Sinfonia | Richard Hickox | 1991 | EMI Classics CDC 7 54407 2 | 26’53” |
| London Philharmonic | Jan Latham-Koenig | 1992 | Chandos CHAN 9106 | 28’59” |