program notes by composition > C > Country Gardens
Country Gardens
Percy Aldridge Grainger
Country Gardens Grainger obtained this catchy tune in 1908 from folk music specialist Cecil Sharp and first performed it on piano a decade later. An improvisation on an English morris “handkerchief” dance, the number became wildly popular. Grainger completed this band arrangement in 1953 using many fresh instrumental colors.
Percy Grainger (1882-1961) was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist. He began his career in London as a society pianist and concert performer. He served briefly as a bandsman in the US Army and took US citizenship in 1918. An early experimenter with music machines and recording, he is remembered as a composer and collector of original English and other folk melodies.
Last updated on April 10, 2012 by Palatine Concert Band
