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Donald Macleod keeps up with Percy Grainger as the composer moves to America during the First World War.

When Percy Grainger and his mother, Rose, boarded the liner Laconia bound for Boston in September 1914. There were many accusations of cowardice and failure to face up to his patriotic duty. The decision to leave for the US had been taken hastily. He had just had a very successful sixty-concert tour of Europe; his works had been taken up in Amsterdam and in Vienna. But all this burgeoning activity came to an abrupt halt with the declaration of war on the 4th of August 1914. The Graingers hadn’t anticipated this development and they now made a momentous decision to uproot themselves for the third time, leave Europe and travel to the USA. Rose was worried that the war would blight her son’s career and Grainger was very anxious over his mother’s health. He later explained his decision as having been made on the basis that he wanted to establish himself as Australia’s first significant composer, and he couldn’t do that if he were to die an early death in Europe!

Country Garden
The Bilder Duo
Caroline Weichert, piano
Clemens Rave, piano

Suite: In a Nutshell
´óÏó´«Ã½ Philharmonic
Richard Hickox, conductor

The Power of Rome and the Christian Heart
Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Timothy Reynish, conductor

Irish Tune from County Derry
Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Timothy Reynish, conductor

The Bride's Tragedy
Monteverdi Choir
English Country Gardiner Orchestra
John Eliot Gardiner

Producer: Martin Williams