Most of the set of movements for string orchestra published as An English Suite was composed during 1914, but the work was left unfinished at Parry's death in 1918. Emily Daymond, Parry's amanuensis during the last few years of his life, chose the order of the eight movements after his death and named two of them "Caprice" and "Frolic" that were originally left untitled. There is no real connection between the movements and so it lacks cohesion as a finished work. Some of the movements Daymond gathered date from the preliminary work Parry did for the Lady Radnor Suite in the 1890s. As individual entities, then, the work represents a sort of compendium of Parry's mature style and many of the movements are masterful examples of Parry at his best. The "Minuet" movement is particularly charming because of its simple, melodic grace.

© Bonnie Fleming, All Music Guide