The ballet Celestial Fire was commissioned for the 1968 Staffordshire Arts Festival, to an original scenario by Maurice Ryan with choreography by Colin Russell, telling the story of an old exile's dream of his youth and homeland, past joys, little campaigns and modest victories.
Ballet Suite: Celestial Fire from 1971 comprises 5 short pieces entitled: Prologue; Waltz; March; Dolls Dance; Round Dance, and is presented on this compilation of light music. Standford's Celestial Fire ballet suite was played continuously on what was then the BBC Light Programme and has earned great popularity across the world.