Despite his desire to be remembered for original compositions, Grainger is mostly known for popular "fripperies" like Country Gardens, which he felt obscured his artistic achievements.
Interpretation
The orchestrations in Grainger's Jungle Book cycle are flexible, with the conductor deciding on the inclusion or exclusion of certain instruments, as Grainger marked some 'at will'.
Instruments
For this recording, ukuleles and guitars used nylon strings, which were not available in Grainger's time but produce the soft tremolando effect he desired.
Composition History
Grainger's introduction to Rudyard Kipling's poetry, which profoundly influenced his compositional development, began in 1897 when his father sent him Kipling books.
Composer Biography
Percy Grainger, the composer, was a distinguished polymath, excelling as a composer, pianist, writer, ethnomusicologist, inventor, linguist, painter, and traveller.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Grainger considered himself primarily a choral composer, despite his orchestral miniatures receiving more exposure.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Grainger developed his mature harmonic style, characterized by unresolved discords, through his settings of Kipling's Jungle Book verses, considering it an "Australian contribution to musical progress."
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