Edward German Festival

The small rural market town of Whitchurch, Shropshire is the birthplace of Sir Edward German, a composer indelibly linked with this country.

In his lifetime he was best known as the legitimate successor of Sir Arthur Sullivan in the field of English Operetta.  His music is characterised by lightness and grace.

In creating his orchestral and instrumental music, operettas and songs he drew upon the treasure house of English drama, poetry and folklore.  Shakespeare and Kipling were his great inspiration.  Songs like The Yeomen of England, O Peaceful England, The English Rose and Long Live Elizabeth made his Merrie England a light opera standard.

Many of his songs were ballads including the rousing Glorious Devon.  His solo song All Friends Around the Wrekin: A Song of Shropshire was a tribute to his native county.

His works celebrate more than past glories.  He was commissioned to write the March and Hymn for the coronation of George V.  In 1911, he became the first man to compose music for a British film, Henry VIII.

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