Grainger the Modernist

Percy Grainger emerges as a pivotal yet overlooked figure in American music history, characterized as a 'hyper-modernist.' He defied traditional norms with compositions featuring bold dissonance and innovative approaches to folk song collection and adaptation. Grainger's reimagining of the modern orchestra and his experimentation with 'ego-less' composition further highlight his unique contributions to twentieth-century modernism, positioning him as a significant, albeit unconventional, artist in the musical landscape.