This is the first of three preludes for guitar by Richard Vella. It was commissioned by Ken Burns for the 1991 Australian Guitar Competition with financial support from the Australia Council. Since its premiere it has been widely performed and recorded. Between Earth and Air was originally edited by Ken Burns and it has been revised for publication by Timothy Kain in collaboration with the composer. The work is structured in sections, the exciting finale combining and developing rhythmic and melodic thematic material from earlier sections. Between Earth and Air can also be played in an abridged version as A-C-B and A-B-C-D.