PERCY GRANGER
The Australian pianist and composer Percy Grainger, an eccentric figure, may
seem of marginal importance. Nevertheless he wrote a number of works that
continue to give considerable pleasure, as do some of the remarkable
arrangements that he devised. He became a friend of Grieg and of Delius and took
a strong interest in the active collection of folk-songs. He gave particular
attention to the creation of music not bound by the traditional restraints of
form and harmony. In 1918 he became an American citizen.
Instrumental Music
Grainger's original instrumental music includes the delightful Handel in the
Strand, intended for piano trio, piano quartet or string orchestra, and Mock
Morris, for either string sextet or violin and piano, or again in arrangements
for string or full orchestra. Harvest Hymn appears in various chamber or
orchestral arrangements, while Walking Tune remains in its original wind quintet
form. Folk-song arrangements for various groups of instruments, sometimes
idiosyncratically described as with elastic scoring, include Early One Morning,
Green Bushes, Molly on the Shore, Ye Banks and Braes and Shepherd's Hey. Some of
these were also arranged for large wind ensemble.
Vocal Music
Grainger wrote some original songs and choral music as well as solo and choral
arrangements of folk-songs. These include the Irish Tune from County Derry, also
arranged for wind band, Brigg Fair for tenor and chorus and The Men of Harlech
for double chorus and drums.
The Australian pianist and composer Percy Grainger, an eccentric figure, may
seem of marginal importance. Nevertheless he wrote a number of works that
continue to give considerable pleasure, as do some of the remarkable
arrangements that he devised. He became a friend of Grieg and of Delius and took
a strong interest in the active collection of folk-songs. He gave particular
attention to the creation of music not bound by the traditional restraints of
form and harmony. In 1918 he became an American citizen.
Instrumental Music
Grainger's original instrumental music includes the delightful Handel in the
Strand, intended for piano trio, piano quartet or string orchestra, and Mock
Morris, for either string sextet or violin and piano, or again in arrangements
for string or full orchestra. Harvest Hymn appears in various chamber or
orchestral arrangements, while Walking Tune remains in its original wind quintet
form. Folk-song arrangements for various groups of instruments, sometimes
idiosyncratically described as with elastic scoring, include Early One Morning,
Green Bushes, Molly on the Shore, Ye Banks and Braes and Shepherd's Hey. Some of
these were also arranged for large wind ensemble.
Vocal Music
Grainger wrote some original songs and choral music as well as solo and choral
arrangements of folk-songs. These include the Irish Tune from County Derry, also
arranged for wind band, Brigg Fair for tenor and chorus and The Men of Harlech
for double chorus and drums.