Musical Notes
So the Olympics are over and, as I write, the Paralympics are about to start. What a huge undertaking it has been to mount such a magnificent spectacle and to bring the world to London. All those athletes, all striving to be the best in their sport but only a relative few succeeding. Gold, silver and bronze is the prize and we have all enjoyed their triumphs. It must be so sad to be fourth in the race!
However without the “also-rans” the spectacle would be greatly diminished. All of them pushing themselves to the limit and in doing so, pushing the medal winners to their limits. So hats off to all who took part - their presence was essential to the whole event.
Which leads me back to my Musical Notes. Not all composers are Bach or Beethoven, but the whole spectrum of the musical world is sustained by the “also-rans” (I’m not trying to suggest that your favourites and mine are inferior). But as I was browsing through the lesser lights I came upon two anniversaries that I could bring to your attention. One hundred and fifty years ago (1862) Edward German Jones was born in Whitechurch, Shropshire. He was a violinist of repute and at the age of 26 became Music Director of the Globe Theatre, London.
He dropped the Jones bit of his name to become Edward German. He composed incidental music for several Shakespeare plays i.e. Richard III, Henry VIII, Romeo and Juliet, As you like it, and Much ado about nothing. He wrote two symphonies and other tone poems but perhaps he is best known for his operettas “Tom Jones” and especially “Merrie England” performed at the time of Edward VII’s coronation in 1902. Knighted in 1928 he died in 1936.
The second is the 50th Anniversary of the death of John Ireland, born in Cheshire - 1879 he died in Sussex in 1962. He was a pianist and the Organist of St. Lukes in Chelsea from 1902 - 1926. Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music 1923-1939, one of his pupils was Benjamin Britten. He wrote chamber music, piano solos and many songs. He did not write symphonies and large scale choral works but orchestral tone poems, brass band works, and a cantata “These things shall be” which was recently televised from the Albert Hall Proms. My favourite song is “Sea Fever” which he composed in 1913 to words by John Masefield - a joy to sing! Another piece I love is his “The Holy Boy” in several arrangements for different combinations of instruments. Perhaps a minor composer but still valuable in the whole scheme of things - rather like those Olympians who played such a valuable supporting role.
John Garrett