Percy Grainger: Australia's greatest composer? - Professor Malcolm Gilles

TL;DR

This lecture discusses the life and work of Percy Granger, examining his contribution to Australian music and questioning whether he can be considered the country's greatest composer.

Transcript

ladies and gentlemen early in the year I was invited to give this Gres lecture is part of the 2011 city of London festival with its strong accent on Australian and New Zealand music I hurriedly penned the abstract and I quote we can think of worldly leading Australians in sport Don Bradman media ownership Rupert Murdoch and film Nicole Kidman in mu... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥳 Percy Granger is often mentioned as a possible contender for the title of Australia's greatest composer, but his legitimacy as an Australian composer is debated due to his birth and residences in other countries.
• 💦 Granger's popularity as a composer is driven by his innovative arrangements of folk songs and his ability to create unique and experimental works.
• 🥶 Granger's concept of "free music," which rejected traditional structures and focused on texture and emotion, sets him apart from other composers of his time.

Questions & Answers

Q: Did Granger have any musical connections or collaborations with Duke Ellington?

While there is no evidence of a direct collaboration between Granger and Duke Ellington, they did meet when Granger invited Ellington to perform for his students at New York University. Granger admired Ellington's improvisational skills and appreciated the more free-wheeling nature of jazz music.

Q: Did Granger compose "Handle in the Strand" during his time in London, and what is the significance of its title?

"Handle in the Strand" was composed while Granger was in London, and the title likely refers to the Australian High Commission building being constructed in the Strand during the same time. The connection between the composition and the building is a playful example of Granger's eccentricity.

Q: How do Americans view Percy Granger as a composer?

Granger spent a significant portion of his life in the United States and achieved success there as both a composer and pianist. While he made acquaintances and professional colleagues in America, he felt that he never truly made friends there. American views on Granger vary, but he is generally regarded as an important figure in music history.

Q: Did Granger continue to explore his concept of "free music" using mechanical means?

Yes, Granger continued to develop his ideas on "free music" throughout his life. In later years, he worked with machines such as the SD Retoaden Tool and the Kangaroo Pouch Tone Tool to create the desired malleable and formless sound. These machines utilized various mechanisms, such as photo cells, to translate movement and light into sound.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Percy Granger is often mentioned as a contender for the title of Australia's greatest composer, but his legitimacy as an Australian composer is debated due to his birth and residence in other countries.

• Granger's popularity as a composer is driven by his arrangements of folk songs and his ability to create unique and experimental works.

• Granger's concept of "free music," which rejected traditional structures and focused on texture and emotion, sets him apart from other composers.

• While Granger may not be recognized as one of the top 100 composers globally, his extensive catalogue of compositions and influence on Australian music solidify his importance in the country's musical history.