Edward German

Much Ado about Nothing – Incidental music (1898)
i. Overture*
ii. In Leonato’s Garden – Arranged by Stanford Robinson*
iii. Dogberry – Arranged by Stanford Robinson*
iv. Bourrée***
v. Gigue***

The Tempter – Incidental music (1893)
i. Berceuse
ii. Bacchanalian Dance**

Marche Solennelle (Funeral March in D minor) (1890)*
Orchestration reconstructed by David Russell Hulme

Henry VIII – Incidental music (1892)
i. Overture**
ii. Prelude Act 2 (‘Intermezzo funèbre’)*
iii. Prelude Act 3**
Three Dances:
iv. Morris Dance
v. Shepherds’ Dance
vi. Torch Dance

Romeo and Juliet – Incidental music (1895): Dramatic Interlude*

Coronation March and Hymn (1911)***

BBC Concert Orchestra
John Wilson (conductor)

* World Premiere Recordings
** First Digital Recordings
*** First Digital Recordings (of Orchestral Version)

Recorded at Air Studios, Hampstead, London, 13-15 June 2011

The celebrated conductor John Wilson returns to Dutton Epoch with the BBC Concert Orchestra to conduct a third programme of orchestral music by Edward German, most of the material played being either world premiere recordings or first digital recordings. This is repertoire on the stylistic cusp between light music and symphonic fare, and all of it informed by German’s characteristic lyricism and orchestral flair. The programme is focused on theatre music – the music with which German came to fame – and includes extended suites from Shakespeare’s Much Ado and Henry VIII, and shorter extracts from The Tempter and Romeo and Juliet. The Marche Solennelle of 1890 and the 1911 Coronation March and Hymn complete the programme. Delightful stuff, and essential not only for the many collectors who bought Volumes 1 & 2 in this series, but also for those wanting to explore this composer’s engaging music. Here, John Wilson and the BBC Concert Orchestra are in their element.