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Percy Grainger

Percy Aldridge Grainger (born George Percy Grainger; 8 July 1882 – 20 February 1961) was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist who lived in the United States from 1914 and became an American citizen in 1918. In the course of a long and innovative career he played a prominent role in the revival of interest in British folk music in the early years of the 20th century. Although much of his work was experimental and unusual, the piece with which he is most generally associated is his piano arrangement of the folk-dance tune "Country Gardens".

Grainger left Australia at the age of 13 to attend the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt. Between 1901 and 1914 he was based in London, where he established himself first as a society pianist and later as a concert performer, composer and collector of original folk melodies. As his reputation grew he met many of the significant figures in European music, forming important friendships with Frederick Delius and Edvard Grieg. He became a champion of Nordic music and culture, his enthusiasm for which he often expressed in private letters, sometimes in crudely racial or anti-Semitic terms.

In 1914, Grainger moved to the United States, where he lived for the rest of his life, though he travelled widely in Europe and Australia. He served briefly as a bandsman in the United States Army during the First World War through 1917–18, and took American citizenship in 1918. After his mother's suicide in 1922, he became increasingly involved in educational work. He also experimented with music machines, which he hoped would supersede human interpretation. In the 1930s he set up the Grainger Museum in Melbourne, his birthplace, as a monument to his life and works, and as a future research archive. As he grew older, he continued to give concerts and to revise and rearrange his own compositions, while writing little new music. After the Second World War, ill health reduced his levels of activity. He considered his career a failure. He gave his last concert in 1960, less than a year before his death.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 8, 1882 (Melbourne), Died February 20, 1961 (White Plains)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1914 - 1945

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, composer, arranger, conductor, guitar, harmonium

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-16639 10-in. 10/11/1915 Irish tune from County Derry Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger, composer  
Victor B-16738 10-in. 11/2/1915 Shepherd's hey Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra, with harp and xylophone arranger  
Victor BVE-16738 10-in. 6/29/1927 Shepherd's hey Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor B-17789 10-in. 6/5/1916 Molly on the shore Maud Powell Violin solo, with piano composer  
Victor C-21912 12-in. 5/9/1918 Molly on the shore Flonzaley Quartet String quartet composer  
Victor B-29846 10-in. 3/27/1924 Molly on the shore Fritz Kreisler Violin solo, with piano composer  
Victor B-30760 10-in. 9/9/1924 Irish tune from County Derry Mark Andrews Pipe organ solo composer  
Victor BVE-32700 10-in. 5/12/1925 Shepherd's hey Ossip Gabrilowitsch Piano solo composer  
Victor BVE-38097 10-in. 6/29/1927 Country gardens Rosario Bourdon ; Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-51829 10-in. 4/25/1929 Londonderry air Philadelphia Chamber String Sinfonietta ; Fabien Sevitzky String orchestra composer  
Victor CVE-51830 12-in. 4/25/1929 Molly on the shore Philadelphia Chamber String Sinfonietta ; Fabien Sevitzky String orchestra composer  
Victor CVE-59898 12-in. 4/8/1930 Over the hills and far away Rosario Bourdon ; Victor Symphony Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor CVE-59899 12-in. 4/8/1930 Colonial song Rosario Bourdon ; Victor Symphony Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-81500 10-in. 1/16/1934 Shepherd's hey Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra ; Eugene Ormandy Orchestra composer  
Victor CVE-81501 12-in. 1/16/1934 Molly on the shore, no. 1 Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra ; Eugene Ormandy Orchestra composer  
Victor CVE-81502 12-in. 1/16/1934 Londonderry air Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra ; Eugene Ormandy String orchestra, with 2 horns composer  
Victor BVE-81503 10-in. 1/16/1934 Country gardens Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra ; Eugene Ormandy Orchestra composer  
Victor BS-057049 10-in. 10/29/1940 Londonderry air Collins H. Driggs Novachord solo arranger  
Victor BRC-Test-1115 10-in. 4/17/1931 Canción del fado Nino Martini Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia 77294 10-in. 8/28/1917 Maguire's kick Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 77295 10-in. 8/28/1917 Irish tune from County Derry Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia 77303 10-in. 9/1/1917 The gum sucker's march Percy Grainger Piano solo, with band instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia 77605 10-in. 1/3/1918 One more day, my John (Sailors' sea chanty) Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia 77611 10-in. 1/5/1918 To the springtime Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 79715 10-in. 2/5/1921 Turkey in the straw Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 79716 10-in. 2/5/1921 The gum-suckers march Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia 80487 10-in. 8/2/1922 Cradle song Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 80488 10-in. 8/2/1922 Spoon River Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, arranger  
Columbia 80489 10-in. 8/2/1922 Eastern intermezzo Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia 80490 10-in. 8/2/1922 Etude in A flat Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 81298 10-in. 10/27/1923 To a water-lily Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 81299 10-in. 10/27/1923 Gavotte Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 81323 10-in. 10/31/1923 Golliwogg's cake walk Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 81324 10-in. 10/31/1923 Rustle of spring Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 81582 10-in. 2/23/1924 Scherzo, op. 31, no. 2 Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 81583 10-in. 2/23/1924 Scherzo, op. 31, no. 2 Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 81587 10-in. 2/27/1924 Why? Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 81588 10-in. 2/27/1924 Water music : Hornpipe Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, arranger  
Columbia 49243 12-in. 8/29/1917 Second Hungarian rhapsody Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49248 12-in. 9/19/1917 Second Hungarian rhapsody Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49249 12-in. 9/19/1917 Norwegian bridal procession Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49281 12-in. 12/3/1917 Valse in A flat Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49295 12-in. 1/2/1918 Paraphrase on Tchaikowsky's flower waltz Percy Grainger Piano solo composer, instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49296 12-in. 1/2/1918 Polonaise in A flat major Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49441 12-in. 6/7/1918 Prelude in A-flat Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49442 12-in. 6/7/1918 Country gardens Percy Grainger Piano solo composer, instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49561 12-in. 12/17/1918 Hungarian fantasy Percy Grainger Piano and orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49562 12-in. 12/17/1918 Hungarian fantasy Percy Grainger Piano and orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49638 12-in. 6/16/1919 Toccata in C-sharp minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49639 12-in. 6/17/1919 Polish dance in E flat minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49640 12-in. 6/17/1919 To the springtime Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia 49748 12-in. 2/10/1920 Molly on the shore Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia 49749 12-in. 2/10/1920 Brahms valse in A-flat Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49750 12-in. 2/10/1920 Hungarian rhapsody no. 12 Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49751 12-in. 2/10/1920 Hungarian rhapsody no. 12 Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49929 12-in. 2/5/1921 Wedding day at Troldhaugen Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49932 12-in. 2/18/1921 Military march Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49933 12-in. 2/18/1921 Norwegian bridal procession Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 49999 12-in. 11/26/1921 Liebesträum Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 98000 12-in. 11/29/1921 Polonaise in E major Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 98001 12-in. 11/29/1921 Polonaise in E major Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 98033 12-in. 8/3/1922 Rakoczy march Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 98034 12-in. 8/7/1922 Jardins sous la pluie Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 98035 12-in. 8/8/1922 Four Irish dances, no. 4 Percy Grainger Piano solo arranger, instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 98036 12-in. 8/8/1922 Colonial song Percy Grainger Piano solo composer, instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W144204 10-in. 5/24/1927 Shepherd's hey Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W144205 10-in. 5/24/1927 Country gardens Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W144206 10-in. 5/24/1927 Cradle song Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, arranger  
Columbia W144246 10-in. 6/1/1927 Molly on the shore Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W144250 10-in. 6/1/1927 Black woman's blues Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with alto saxophone and piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W145228 10-in. 11/22/1927 Lord Peter's stable boy Percy Grainger ; Ralph Leopold Piano and harmonium duet, with brass and string ensemble instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W145237 10-in. 11/25/1927 Shepherd's hey Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Percy Grainger Orchestra conductor, composer  
Columbia W145385 10-in. 12/22/1927 Colonial song Anita Atwater ; Percy Grainger ; Luis Alberto Sánchez Female-male vocal duet, with harp and orchestra conductor, composer  
Columbia W145386 10-in. 12/22/1927 Colonial song Anita Atwater ; Percy Grainger ; Luis Alberto Sánchez Female-male vocal duet, with harp and orchestra conductor, composer  
Columbia W146893 10-in. 8/24/1928 Washwoman's blues Bessie Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with alto saxophone and piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W147871 10-in. 1/21/1929 Ramble on love Percy Grainger Piano solo composer, instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W147872 10-in. 1/21/1929 Ramble on love Percy Grainger Piano solo composer, instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W150875 10-in. 10/14/1930 Handel in the Strand Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W150876 10-in. 10/14/1930 The hunter in his career Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W98171 12-in. 5/9/1925 Irish tune from County Derry Percy Grainger ; Kasschau Solo Choir Mixed vocal chorus conductor, arranger  
Columbia W98175 12-in. 5/19/1925 Scotch strathspey and reel The Grainger Singers and Players ; Frank Kasschau Vocal and instrumental ensemble, with 2 guitars instrumentalist, guitar, composer  
Columbia W98176 12-in. 5/19/1925 Scotch strathspey and reel The Grainger Singers and Players ; Frank Kasschau Vocal and instrumental ensemble, with 2 guitars instrumentalist, guitar, composer  
Columbia W98177 12-in. 6/10/1925 Sonata in B minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98178 12-in. 6/10/1925 Sonata in B minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98179 12-in. 6/10/1925 Sonata in B minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98180 12-in. 6/11/1925 Sonata in B minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98181 12-in. 6/11/1925 Sonata in B minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98182 12-in. 6/11/1925 Sonata in B minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98217 12-in. 1/29/1926 Sonata in F minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98218 12-in. 1/29/1926 Sonata in F minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98219 12-in. 1/29/1926 Sonata in F minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98220 12-in. 1/29/1926 Sonata in F minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98221 12-in. 1/30/1926 Sonata in F minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98222 12-in. 1/30/1926 Sonata in F minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98223 12-in. 1/30/1926 Sonata in F minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98224 12-in. 1/30/1926 Sonata in F minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98245 12-in. 3/31/1926 Etude in C minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98246 12-in. 3/31/1926 Claire de lune Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98247 12-in. 3/31/1926 Liebestraum Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98248 12-in. 3/31/1926 Toccata, C-sharp minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98249 12-in. 4/1/1926 Prelude in A-flat major Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98250 12-in. 4/1/1926 Romance in F-sharp major Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98251 12-in. 4/1/1926 Sheep and goat walkin' to the pasture Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98252 12-in. 4/1/1926 Rothamsknut halling, op. 72, no. 7 Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98353 12-in. 6/1/1927 Sonata in G minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98354 12-in. 6/1/1927 Sonata in G minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98355 12-in. 6/1/1927 Sonata in G minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98356 12-in. 6/1/1927 Sonata in G minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98357 12-in. 6/1/1927 Liebestraum Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98358 12-in. 6/1/1927 To spring Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W98359 12-in. 6/1/1927 Wedding day at Troldhaugen Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98410 12-in. 11/22/1927 The power of love Anita Atwater Female vocal solo, with harmonium and piano instrumentalist, harmonium, composer  
Columbia W98412 12-in. 11/25/1927 Gum-suckers march Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W98507 12-in. 5/28/1928 Etudes symphoniques Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98508 12-in. 5/28/1928 Etudes symphoniques Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98540 12-in. 5/28/1928 Etudes symphoniques Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98541 12-in. 5/28/1928 Etudes symphoniques Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98542 12-in. 5/28/1928 Etudes symphoniques Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98543 12-in. 5/28/1928 Romance in F-sharp major Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98593 12-in. 10/9/1928 Sonata no. 2 in B-flat minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98594 12-in. 10/9/1928 Sonata no. 2 in B-flat minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98595 12-in. 10/9/1928 Sonata in B-flat minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98596 12-in. 10/9/1928 Sonata in B-flat minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98597 12-in. 10/9/1928 Sonata in B-flat minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98598 12-in. 10/9/1928 Etude in B minor Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98613 12-in. 1/21/1929 Jutish medley Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W98614 12-in. 1/21/1929 Jutish medley Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia W98743 12-in. 10/13/1931 Toccata and fugue in D minor for organ (1st half) Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98744 12-in. 10/13/1931 Toccata and fugue in D minor for organ (Completion) Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98745 12-in. 10/13/1931 Prelude and fugue in A minor for organ Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98746 12-in. 10/13/1931 Prelude and fugue in A minor for organ Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98747 12-in. 10/13/1931 Prelude and fugue in A minor for organ [Part 3] Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98748 12-in. 10/15/1931 Fantasia and fugue in G minor for organ Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98749 12-in. 10/15/1931 Fantasia and fugue in G minor for organ (Completion) Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W98750 12-in. 10/15/1931 Blithe bells Percy Grainger Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Columbia 6398 12-in. approximately 1914 Molly on the shore London String Quartet String quartet composer  
Columbia 6587 12-in. approximately 1915 Shepherd's hey New Queen's Hall Orchestra ; Henry J. Wood Orchestra composer  
Columbia 6678 12-in. approximately 1915 Irish tune from County Derry New Queen's Hall Orchestra ; Henry J. Wood Orchestra composer  
Columbia 75251 12-in. approximately 1916 Handel in the Strand New Queen's Hall Orchestra ; Henry J. Wood Orchestra composer  
Brunswick X13071-X13073 12-in. 5/9/1924 Molly on the shore New York String Quartet String quartet composer  
Brunswick X13164-X13165 12-in. 5/23/1924 Molly on the shore New York String Quartet String quartet composer  
Brunswick E27522 10-in. 5/9/1928 Shepherd’s hey (Saludo pastor) Cleveland Orchestra ; Nikolai Sokoloff Orchestra composer  
Brunswick XC283-XC284 12-in. 5/3/1926 Shepherd’s hey Cleveland Orchestra ; Nikolai Sokoloff Orchestra composer  
Edison 7672 10-in. 12/9/1920 Molly on the shore American Symphony Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Edison 8585 10-in. 9/9/1922 Country gardens Alta Hill Piano solo composer  
Gramophone 0EA6107 10-in. 2/15/1938 Londonderry air Fritz Kreisler ; Franz Rupp Violin solo, with piano arranger  
Decca 72665 10-in. 12/29/1944 The man I love Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72666 10-in. 12/29/1944 Opening of Grieg's A minor piano concerto Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72667 10-in. 12/29/1944 Country gardens/One more day, my John Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72806 10-in. 4/4/1945 Nola Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72807 10-in. 4/4/1945 Lento Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72812 10-in. 4/4/1945 The aeolian harp ; The lilt of the reel Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72813 10-in. 4/4/1945 The man I love Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72821 10-in. 4/16/1945 Molly on the shore Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72925 10-in. 6/11/1945 Opening of Grieg's A Minor piano concerto Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73054 10-in. 9/24/1945 Danse nègre ; Cherry ripe (Scott) Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73055 10-in. 9/24/1945 Irish tune from County Derry Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73059 10-in. 10/3/1945 Juba dance ; Excerpt from Prelude Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73071 10-in. 9/5/1945 Country gardens ; One more day, my John (Grainger) Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73072 10-in. 9/5/1945 The lilt of the reel ; The aeolian harp Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73156 10-in. 6/11/1945 Love walked in Percy Grainger instrumentalist, piano  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Grainger, Percy," accessed May 4, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102572.

Grainger, Percy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102572.

"Grainger, Percy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 4 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102572

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