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 You have heard his music, you may have even heard rumors of his eccentricities, but the man that Percy Grainger became was a result of many different influences. This biography of Percy Aldridge Grainger, composer, will examine many of them.
Percy Grainger was born in 1882 in Melbourne, Australia to what
today would be called a dysfunctional family. Grainger was often
witness to his mother's abuse from his father's hand, in a marriage
that lasted until Percy was eleven when his mother contracted syphilis
from his father after returning from an extended trip to London.
Following the separation of his parents, Rose Grainger moved young
Percy to the town of Frankfurt Germany in an effort to encourage his
growing musical talents. Later moving again to London he studied with
such composers as Grieg and Delius.
Percy Grainger and Folk Music
Percy Grainger's association with Edvard Grieg is perhaps one of the
main focal points of his life. Through Grieg, Percy became fascinated
by traditional folk music and embarked on an effort to record these
songs using the only equipment available, wax cylinders that each could
hold only two minutes of music. This tedius process nonetheless
inspired Grainger to compose music based on many of these melodies that
he had recorded, culminating in some of his finest works such as
Shepherd's Hey, Irish Tune From County Derry, and Country Gardens.
The Dark Side of Percy Grainger
Behind this facade of genius also lay a darkened soul. Percy
Grainger was undeniably a racist, particularly toward people of Latin
descent. Hence, in Grainger's compositions you will not find the traditional
Italian terminology that most of western music uses. Instead Grainger
used "Blue-eyed English," to get his point across. Substituting such
phrases as "chippy," rather than "staccato," to mark notes that should
be played short. Other changes such as "louden lots," instead of
"crescendo," tend to confuse those not acclimated to Grainger's style
and eccentricities. This passive demonstration of Grainger's dark side
is compounded by the reports that he followed in his father's
footsteps, becoming an abusive and sadomasochistic husband to his
bride, Ella Strom whom he married in 1926, four years after his
mother's suicide (she jumped off a tall building to her death).
Percy Grainger's Contribution to Music History
While Percy Grainger's personal life was mired in speculation and a
small degree of disdain, Grainger's contributions to the world of music
cannot be denied. Although now, nearly fifty years after his death
Percy Grainger is recognized for these achievements, during his own
time he was, for the most part, ignored. Today, with the growing
momentum of wind band ensembles in the public schools, Grainger's
arrangements are being dusted off and recognized as the masterpieces
that they truly are.
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