'...a marvellously atmospheric show-piece...'
Peter Reed, The Guardian, 23 February 1984

'The piece comprises a processional of festive figures over a slow walking bass leading to a clipped perky allegro, before returning in grandiose apotheosis, its slyness of harmonic side-slipping and its skill in working up a structure from the slightest material are absolutely typical of the early manner which set elderly critics tut-tutting over Mr Britten's incorrigible 'cleverness.'
Bayan Northcott, The Sunday Telegraph, 26 February 1984