The composer

Reaching his fiftieth birthday in 1963, Britten already appearedand being performed to great acclaim around the world, while his , premiered the previous year at Coventry Cathedral, appeared a crowning success. Yet composers more 'advanced' than himself, such as Peter Maxwell Davies, were now receiving attention, and Britten became aware of needing to revitalise his style. Meeting Rostropovich was a welcome catalyst for his next creative stage.