[stefank]

Grainger is finally being recognised for his innovations - he wrote his first aleotoric piece (Random Round) in 1912, which just happens to be the year of John Cage's birth. His "Childrens' March" was written not long after, and I think (not absolutely sure) the band version was the first score he wrote using saxophones.

 

[stefank]

He's become so famous that us Aussies have claimed him back as "one of us"
I'll celebrate by blowing the dust off Blithe Bells.
nicko

He apparently always thought of himelf as Australian, despite having taken US citizenship. That's one of the reasons he endowed the fascinating Grainger Museum at the University of Melbourne. A few years ago one my friends talked his way out the back, where they have (among other things) his collection of whips. He did want his skeleton on display, but the authorities wouldn't come at that!