Percy Grainger was one of the most famous pianists of his time, being compared to Rachmaninov and Horowitz. Grieg proclaimed that he'd had to wait until he was in his sixties to hear his own music played with such understanding and brilliance and he and Grainger went on to collaborate on the performance and an edition of Grieg's Piano Concerto. Pianist Lucy Parham enthuses about Grainger's recordings on 78s which are a revelation, as two short extracts demonstrate. His repertoire was characteristically idiosyncratic, as were his views on certain composers. He as known as "the Golden Pianist", for his good looks as well as his seemingly faultless technique and matchless sound.

Produced by Jeremy Hayes for Potton Hall Productions

First broadcast in September 2011. Show less