It received its first performance in 1934 at Stuart Hall in Norwich, with Britten conducting an amateur orchestra.
The piece is dedicated to Audrey Alston (Mrs Lincolne Sutton), Britten's childhood viola teacher.
[1] The symphony has four movements, each quoting themes from two earlier works by Britten: The entire piece lasts about 20 minutes.
The third movement samples a traditional Swedish melody heard also in the popular Christian hymn “How Great Thou Art”.
It appears in Wes Anderson's film Moonrise Kingdom (2012), which prominently features many pieces by Britten.