Ever wondered what it’s like to step inside the mind of a musical genius? That’s precisely what the Grainger Museum offers. It stands as a testament to the life, work, and rather eccentric personality of Percy Grainger.
The Grainger Museum isn’t just any museum. It’s the only purpose-built autobiographical museum in Australia. Percy Grainger himself envisioned this space. He wanted a place to house his intimate letters and notes. He preferred the term “past-hoard-house” but settled on “museum”.
Designed with input from Grainger and architect John Gawler, construction spanned from 1935 to 1939. The University of Melbourne provided the land. Officially opening in December 1938, the Grainger Museum became a unique repository. It holds a vast collection documenting Grainger’s multifaceted life.
Imagine walking through halls filled with original music manuscripts. Published scores sit alongside his personal items. You’ll find musical instruments and field recordings too. Artworks, photographs, books, and even Grainger’s whips are on display. Yes, whips. These relate to his interest in sado-masochism. Grainger referred to this as the “Lust Branch”.
Don’t miss the contents of his bedside cabinet. There’s also a gallery dedicated to his mother’s tragic suicide. It’s a deep dive into the personal life of a complex man. Grainger even collected letters from Wagner and Tchaikovsky. His correspondence included notable figures. Edvard Grieg, Frederick Delius, Cyril Scott, and Julius Röntgen all exchanged letters with him. The Grainger Museum collection contains over 100,000 items. Only a fraction are on display at any given time. Researchers can access the rest by appointment.
Percy Grainger was quite the character. He advocated for a “Blue-Eyed English”. This was derived from Anglo-Saxon and Germanic vocabulary. He even wanted his skeleton displayed in the museum. This request was denied due to public indecency.
One of Grainger’s most famous pieces is his arrangement of “Country Gardens”. But his influence extends far beyond that single piece. He befriended George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, and others. His wedding took place at the Hollywood Bowl before 20,000 people. Grainger experimented with electronic music as early as 1937. The Grainger Museum showcases his innovative spirit.
The Grainger Museum closed for restoration in 2003. It reopened in 2010 after seven years of work. Today, it stands as a monument to a man who wanted to share every aspect of his life. From his musical genius to his personal struggles. The Grainger Museum offers an unparalleled glimpse into the world of Percy Grainger. It is an experience you won’t soon forget.