German, Sir Edward (1862-1936), was a British composer who is best remembered for his tuneful patriotic operettas Merrie England (1902) and Tom Jones (1907). German’s best music is light in mood and is gracefully and skillfully constructed. His experience as a violinist and as a conductor is reflected in his writing for orchestra and in his gift for beautiful vocal melody. He composed much music for the theater, especially incidental music for plays by William Shakespeare. German also composed two symphonies (1887, 1893) and other orchestral works as well as chamber music, works for piano and organ, and vocal compositions. His most popular orchestral work is probably the Welsh Rhapsody (1904), based on traditional Welsh melodies.
German was born in Whitchurch, Shropshire, England. His real name was German Edward Jones. He entered the Royal Academy of Music in London in 1880, adopting his professional name at that time. German was knighted in 1928. He died on Nov. 11, 1936.
