Photo: Bergen Public Library / No restrictions (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Percy Grainger was credited as a pianist, composer and saxophonist. Percy Grainger was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on July 8, 1882. Death is recorded on February 20, 1961, at the age of 78. Recorded honors include St. Olav's Medal (1954). Notable works include County Derry Air, Afterword and Shallow Brown.
My Take
Percy Grainger is the kind of glorious eccentric I cannot help but love. Born in Melbourne in 1882, he poured his energy into reviving British folk music, and his arrangement of County Derry Air still anchors wind-band repertoires today. But the folk songs are only part of the story: a brilliant pianist, a saxophonist, a conductor, later an American citizen, he even dreamed of a boundary-free Free Music decades ahead of his time. I find that purity intoxicating, the genius who lives just one step from oddity. The St. Olav's Medal feels earned. He deserves to be remembered, vividly.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Percy Grainger
- Name (Japanese)
- パーシー・グレインジャー
- Reading
- ぱーしー・ぐれいんじゃー
- Born
- July 8, 1882 – February 20, 1961
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Horse
- Origin
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Occupation
- pianist / composer / saxophonist / conductor / musicologist
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1954 St. Olav's Medal
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | County Derry Air | — | |
| Notable work | Afterword | — | |
| Notable work | Shallow Brown | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Percy Grainger born?
Born July 8, 1882.
When did Percy Grainger die?
Died February 20, 1961, aged 78.
Where was Percy Grainger from?
Percy Grainger was from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
What did Percy Grainger do?
Percy Grainger worked as pianist, composer, saxophonist, conductor, musicologist.
What was Percy Grainger known for?
Notable works include County Derry Air, Afterword, Shallow Brown.
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