The Young Persons’ Guide to the Orchestra - Variations and Fugue on a theme by Purcell Op. 34 (1946) is an orchestral work by Benjamin Britten. It was written for a documentary "The Instruments of the Orchestra." It is intended to go along with a narration to describe each section of the orchestra in turn. With the narration accompanied by the variations by Britten the roles and purposes of each section is shown. It has become one of the best known orchestral works, especially amongst young people. It is intended as an introduction to orchestral music, and is often the first piece one hears.