OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 42, 13 November 1936, Page 9

OBITUARY

Sir Edward German

London, November 11

The death has occurred of Sir Edward German, the distinguished composer, at the age of 74.

No composer of popular music during the last half-century could have been more English in feeling and colour than the late Edward German. He was born nt Whitchurch, Shropshire, on Februnr.v 17, 1862. and was educated at Bridge House School. Chester. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, of which he became a fellow in 1895. Edward German composed most of his popular music between the ages of 25 and 35 years. That music included incidental music to “Richard III,” “Henry VIII,”’ “Romeo and Juliet.” “As You Like It.” nnd “Much Ado About Nothing.” Of this music perhaps the set of dances from “Henry VIII’’ are best known and most widely played. It was Mr. German who undertook the task of completing the opera “The Emerald Isle,” which Sir Arthur Sullivan left uncompleted. But in the world of light opera fame came to him through his “Merrie England,” which is alwyas being rivived and is so frequently sung in concert form by choral societies the Empire over. “Tom Jones” is also a successful opera. In 1904 he produced, in association with Rudyard Kipling, the “Just So Song Book.” Of his orchestral works, his “Welsh Rhapsody” (in which he makes brilliant transposition of the old “Men of Harlech” air. his “March Rhapsody” and “Coronation March’ were exceptionally fine, the latter having been played at the coronation of the late King George V in 1911. Among Ger-, man’s songs that will live are “The Yeomen of England.” “It was a Lover and His Lass," “Love is Sent to Make Us Glad," "Love the Pedlar." "Glorious Devon." and “O Peaceful England." Sir Edward German, who has conducted at all the great festivals in England, was knighted in 1928.