Percy Grainger: Dec 9-13

[rauschwerk]

One forumite (was it Bella?) recently linked Grainger with Ernest Tomlinson as a 'purveyor of light music'. The contents of these programmes should show that there was a lot more to Grainger than that. Until I heard Britten's 'Salute to Percy Grainger' LP I would have agreed with Bella, but that experience opened new doors to me. I'm pleased that we shall be hearing A Lincolnshire Posy and only slightly disappointed that it won't be in the stunning version by Frederick Fennell and the Cleveland winds.

[Bryn]

One forumite (was it Bella?) recently linked Grainger with Ernest Tomlinson as a 'purveyor of light music'. The contents of these programmes should show that there was a lot more to Grainger than that. Until I heard Britten's 'Salute to Percy Grainger' LP I would have agreed with Bella, but that experience opened new doors to me. I'm pleased that we shall be hearing A Lincolnshire Posy and only slightly disappointed that it won't be in the stunning version by Frederick Fennell and the Cleveland winds.

The Australian/American Percy Grainger was a most interesting and inventive character. His experiments with different divisions of the octave spring to mind, as do the early electronic devices he devised. The American/Australian composer Warren Burt has done much to investigate such aspects of Grainger'swork. That said, his flirtation with fascism was a less attractive aspect of his character. From https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/...ful-music.html:

The appropriate word for Percy Grainger is bonkers. He had nasty pre-Nazi ideas about Aryan blondes, he liked sado-masochistic sex and the likelihood is that he committed incest with his mother, who committed suicide. All this and Molly on the Shore.

[rauschwerk]

I had hoped for a discussion of Grainger's music without reference to racism, sadism or incest! It's not as though he set any texts by the Marquis de Sade.

[Bryn]

I had hoped for a discussion of Grainger's music without reference to racism, sadism or incest! It's not as though he set any texts by the Marquis de Sade.

Why would you want to avoid a rounded discussion of the the man and his music.

[LMcD]

Many years ago I watched a TV documentary about Percy Grainger. The only thing I can remember about it is the frequent repetition of the phrase 'Beloved mother', which struck me as odd. Clearly I wasn't of an age to read anything into those 2 words.

[rauschwerk]

Why would you want to avoid a rounded discussion of the the man and his music.

Grainger's relationship with his mother was a singular one, to be sure, but is not the notion that it was incestuous pure speculation? As for his racial views, he made no speeches and published no pamphlets propounding them. He was quite inconsistent in any case, since he admired the music of Gershwin and considered Duke Ellington to be one of the three greatest composers of all time.

All of which has, to my mind, little bearing in his stature as a composer. I think he was a good one and I hope these broadcasts will convince others.

[Bryn]

An Australian composer acquaintance of mine who settled in this county many decades ago has, on occasion, challenged me on my admiration for Grainger's musical work. His 'argument' is that as a fascist, Grainger's music should not be played. You will note that I referred to Grainger's "flirtation" with fascism, rather than describing him as a fascist. Should Webern's work be binned due to his relationship to the Austrian National Socialism? I think not. I do, however, feel that if the subject of a Composer of the Week series, this aspect of his outlook should not be ignored any more than Carl Ruggles's racism should. All three named are composers I hold in high regard for their musical work.

[HighlandDougie]

Oh dear - tone-lowering time again. Alas, Rauschwerk, it's difficult to avoid with someone who was no shrinking violet. As in:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-lust-branch-private-matters-of-eccentric-musician-percy-grainger

In truth, I find that a little of his music, arresting and interesting as it often is (cf. "The Warriors" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFvIyP631yE - haven't checked but assume it's JEG?), does rather go a long way. Definitely not my idea of light music, though, so I will be listening to these programmes with interest. I have no doubt that the estimable Donald Macleod will deal fairly but truthfully about PG's, err, "idiosyncrasies".

[rauschwerk]

Yes, PG was certainly a nutcase. But other good composers have spent time in asyla. I don't think I would want a whole evening of his music either.

[Padraig]

I don't think I would want a whole evening of his music either.

But you would want this! The whole world loves this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pff-UtLsqDU

[MrGongGong]

This

http://120years.net/the-free-music-machinepercy-grainger-burnett-crossusaaustralia1948-2/

"Live at Castle Zoot" is the album he never made

[Serial_Apologist]

The Lone Grainger (1882-1961): 9-13/12/19

Thanks for starting this thread, Gongers.

[Richard Tarleton]

Missed today (stacking logs). The first time I heard Shallow Brown (thank you Jonathan Swain and CD Masters) I was driving to a meeting, and had to pull over into a layby until it was finished.

[Andy Freude]

Thank you for two lovely videos - the Irish Tune from County Derry and Shallow Brown (JSQ one of my favourite artists).

[BBMmk2]

Missed today (stacking logs). The first time I heard Shallow Brown (thank you Jonathan Swain and CD Masters) I was driving to a meeting, and had to pull over into a layby until it was finished.

A beautiful piece.