Edward German's Tom Jones, based on Fieldings classic novel, first appeared in 1907. It is one of the finest British operettas to follow Gilbert and Sullivan, the music has a style of its own and brings a new Romantic sweep to the genre. Full of superb numbers, such as the famous waltz-song For Tonight, On a January morning, A Soldiers Scarlet Coat, Dream o Day Jill and West Country lad, this is the first complete recording, and includes three numbers cut during the original run.
...this Naxos release admirably makes the point that there was a great deal more to pre-Word War I British musical theatre than just G&S.
"A delightful score, with bags of period charm.
"Hugely successful in its day, the score has sauce and swagger, romantic relish, suave songs and a scintillating orchestral palette. It has an individuality of style that sets it apart from the G&S repertoire, with which it might nevertheless be compared, and this exuberant performance taps its potential for West Country accents, its wit and its winning charm.
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