English Air was composed in the late 1980s and revised in 1993. It originated as the middle movement of the composer's Wind Quintet and also exists in versions for flute, clarinet or double bass and piano.

English Air belongs firmly in the English tradition, as the title implies, although the bridge passage has intimations of a Gallic waltz. Its sinous and lyrical melodies are supported by a gently flowing and undulating accompaniment and the mildly chromatic style, within an accessible idiom, produces a work to suit any audience or occasion.

There are few technical problems, allowing the players to concentrate on any musical issues and to create a work of pastoral elegance and style.

An edition for flute (or clarinet) and piano is also published [RMS016].

Peter Lamb (1925-2013) was born in London and studied composition at Trinity College of Music, subsequently with Arthur Benjamin, and was awarded a Fellowship of Trinity College for his First String Quartet.

He combined a busy career as a professional composer and music administrator, initially working for two international record companies before an appointment as Deputy Manager of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Here he worked on programme building with the eminent conductor Constantin Silvestri, and also helped to establish the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. For ten years he was Head of Music at Peter Symonds' College in Winchester and, prior to his retirement, lectured at the University of Southampton for eight years.

Peter Lamb's music has been performed worldwide, from Britain, France and Sweden, to Brazil, Canada and America, and significant works include a Flute Sonata, Flute Sonatina, Duologue for oboe and piano, a String Quartet, Concerto for viola and string orchestra, Wind Quintet, and many unaccompanied choral works. His compositional style combines a quintessentially English quality with a clarity of line and expression, incorporating a rich and varied harmonic palette and a gallic charm, producing music of strong character and distinction.