Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Leaper

Acknowledged by Sir Arthur Sullivan as his musical heir, Edward German enjoyed huge acclaim during his lifetime. His dances are ‘charged with the fragrant essence of the greenwood’ and the Overture to Nell Gwyn, with its richly English themes, explains Elgar’s liking for German’s music. The gloriously romanticised Gipsy Suite pays subtle homage to Dvořák; the dances from Henry VIII were responsible for his early celebrity; and Tom Jones (on 866027071) and Merrie England were two of his greatest stage successes.

Gramophone commented on German’s operetta Tom Jones: ‘this Naxos release admirably makes the point that there was a great deal more to pre-World War I British musical theatre than just Gilbert & Sullivan.’

International Record Review wrote of it: ‘A winning performance…German’s colourful orchestration is given its due by Russell Hulme’s players. If you like a good tune and a story with a happy ending, bear this delightful work in mind’, while Opera Now said ‘A delightful score, with bags of period charm.’

Conductor Adrian Leaper is a prominent conductor in Naxos’s roster and in addition to those light music discs he has also recorded formidable recordings of Elgar and Wieniawski (8572952), and Havergal Brian (8572014), among many others.