Customer Reviews

Percy Grainger

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In this biography, John Bird masterly tells us about the live, thoughts and 'adventures' of one of the strangest music makers of all times, composer and pianist Percy Aldridge Grainger. A very complete book, which is special, for, as the author stresses in his preface, making an understandable view of the complicated life of Grainger, is not a simple task. Besides all important facts about 'Perks', the book contains lots of interesting backgroud information, letting us know under which circumstances and in what time the composer lived. Also an updated discography and a list of all places where manuscripts etc are to be found are included. The current edition is fully revised, the first print was released in the mid seventies. In one word: brilliant!!!

As with many composers, to understand the man is essential to understanding how to interpret his music. My reserach on "Lincolnshire Posy" would have been incomplete without this book. There is a lot of persistence on the author's part to present an accurate and indepth portrayal of one of the more eccentric figures in music. A shame that all biographies are not constructed with such care.

I found this biography of Percy Grainger to be very informative and interesting to read. It accurately describes the musician's life and should be read by anyone interested in the man or his works.