Deaths on February 20

Percy Grainger, Australian-American pianist and composer (b. 1882)

Percy Aldridge Grainger, born George Percy Grainger on July 8, 1882, in Brighton, Melbourne, was an extraordinary Australian-born composer, pianist, and arranger whose innovative spirit left an indelible mark on 20th-century music. His journey eventually led him to the United States in 1914, where he embraced American citizenship in 1918, becoming a truly transnational figure in the classical music world. Over a career spanning decades, Grainger carved out a distinctive niche, not least for his pivotal role in the early 20th-century revival of interest in British folk music, a movement that sought to preserve traditional melodies in an era of rapid industrialization. While his creative output was often daringly experimental and remarkably unusual for its time, it is perhaps his delightful piano arrangement of the traditional English folk-dance tune, "Country Gardens," that remains his most beloved and enduring work, instantly recognizable to many and a testament to his melodic genius.

Early Years and European Ascent

Grainger’s musical prodigy was evident from a young age, prompting his departure from Australia at just 13 to pursue formal studies at the prestigious Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, Germany. This intensive European immersion proved transformative. From 1901 to 1914, London served as his vibrant base, a period during which he rapidly ascended from being a sought-after society pianist to a celebrated concert performer. His boundless energy also saw him develop into a prolific composer and an ardent collector of original folk melodies, crisscrossing the British Isles to document traditional tunes before they vanished. It was during these London years that his burgeoning reputation allowed him to forge invaluable connections and friendships with some of the most significant figures in European music, including the celebrated composers Frederick Delius and Edvard Grieg, both of whom greatly admired his talent. Grainger developed a profound admiration for Nordic music and culture, a passion he frequently articulated in his private correspondence, though it is also important to acknowledge that these personal letters sometimes contained disturbing expressions of crude racial or anti-Semitic sentiments, reflecting a more complex and troubling aspect of his character.

A New World and Enduring Legacy

The year 1914 marked a pivotal shift in Percy Grainger’s life as he relocated to the United States, which would become his home for the remainder of his life, despite his continued extensive travels across Europe and back to Australia. His commitment to his new home was further solidified when he briefly served as a bandsman in the United States Army during the tumultuous years of the First World War, from 1917 to 1918, culminating in his acquisition of American citizenship in 1918. A deeply personal tragedy, the suicide of his mother in 1922, profoundly impacted him, leading to an increased dedication to educational work and a renewed focus on his compositional theories. It was also during this period that Grainger’s inventive mind turned to groundbreaking experimentation with "free music" and music machines, envisioning a future where such devices might liberate musical expression beyond the confines of human interpretation. In the 1930s, driven by a desire to preserve his unique artistic journey, he established the Grainger Museum in his birthplace of Melbourne. This remarkable institution was conceived not only as a personal monument to his eclectic life and vast body of work but also as an invaluable research archive for future generations of scholars and musicians. As he entered his later years, Percy Aldridge Grainger maintained a commitment to performance, continuing to give concerts and meticulously revise and rearrange his existing compositions, though his output of entirely new music diminished. Following the Second World War, declining health began to curtail his once boundless energy and activities. Despite a prolific and influential career, Grainger famously considered his life's work a failure. He delivered his final public concert in 1960, just months before his passing on February 20, 1961, leaving behind a legacy far richer than he might have perceived.

Frequently Asked Questions about Percy Aldridge Grainger

Who was Percy Aldridge Grainger?

Percy Aldridge Grainger (born George Percy Grainger, 1882-1961) was an influential Australian-born composer, pianist, and arranger who later became an American citizen. He was known for his innovative approach to music, his role in the British folk music revival, and his experimental compositions.

What is Percy Grainger most famous for?

Grainger is most widely recognized for his captivating piano arrangement of the English folk-dance tune, "Country Gardens," which remains a popular piece in the classical repertoire. Beyond this, he is celebrated for his pioneering work in collecting and arranging folk music, and for his adventurous, often avant-garde, "free music" compositions.

When did Grainger become an American citizen?

Percy Grainger moved to the United States in 1914 and officially became an American citizen in 1918, after serving as a bandsman in the U.S. Army during World War I.

What was the Grainger Museum?

The Grainger Museum, established in the 1930s in his birthplace of Melbourne, Australia, was Percy Grainger's unique creation. It serves as a personal monument to his extensive life and works, housing his compositions, instruments, correspondence, and personal artifacts, intended to be a future research archive and a testament to his artistic vision.