Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - Merrie England Suite - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

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 it's richly English themes, explains Elgar's liking for German's music. The gloriously romanticized Gipsy Suite pays subtle homage to Dvorák; the dances from Henry VIII were responsible for his early celebrity; and Tom Jones (on 8.660270-71) and Merrie England were two of his greatest stage successes. Conductor Adrian Leaper is a prominent conductor in Naxos' roster and in addition to those light music discs he has also recorded formidable recordings of Elgar and Wieniawski (8.572952), and Havergal Brian (8.572014), among many others. Album Tracks 1. Nell Gwyn - Overture and Three Dances~Overture 2. Nell Gwyn - Overture and Three Dances~Country Dance 3. Nell Gwyn - Overture and Three Dances~Pastoral Dance 4. Nell Gwyn - Overture and Three Dances~Merrymakers' Dance 5. Gipsy Suite (Four characteristic dances)~No. 1. Valse Melancolique 'Lonely Life' 6. Gipsy Suite (Four characteristic dances)~No. 2. Allegro di Bravura 'The Dance' 7. Gipsy Suite (Four characteristic dances)~No. 3. Menuetto 'Love Duet' 8. Gipsy Suite (Four characteristic dances)~No. 4. Tarantella 'The Revel' 9. Three Dances from the music to Shakespeare's Henry VIII~No. 1. Morris Dance 10. Three Dances from the music to Shakespeare's Henry VIII~No. 2. Shepherds' Dance 11. Three Dances from the music to Shakespeare's Henry VIII~No. 3. Torch Dance 12. Tempter~Berceuse 13. Romeo and Juliet (incidental music)~Pavane 14. Romeo and Juliet (incidental music)~Nocturne 15. Romeo and Juliet (incidental music)~Pastorale 16. Tom Jones~Act III For Tonight 'Sophia's Waltz-Song' 17. Merrie England Suite~No. 1. Hornpipe 18. Merrie England Suite~No. 2. Minuet 19. Merr