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Percy Grainger (1882-1961) was a piano prodigy turned composer who was
known for his strange personal habits, his colorful prose, and his equally
unusual music his many admirers today still recognize that he possessed
the supreme virtue of never being dull. Born in Australia, he began
studying piano at an early age. He came to the U. S. at the outbreak of World
In setting Molly on the Shore I strove to imbue the accompanying parts that
made up the harmonic texture with a melodic character not too unlike that of
the underlying reel tune. Melody seems to me to provide music with an
initiative, whereas rhythm appears to me to exert an enslaving influence. For
that reason I have tried to avoid rhythmic domination in my music always
excepting irregular rhythms, such as those of Gregorian Chant, which seem to
me to make for freedom. Equally with melody I prize discordant harmony,
because of the emotional and compassionate sway it exerts.
And:
One of the reasons why things of mine like Molly on the Shore and Shepherds
Hey are good is because there is so little gaiety and fun in them. While other
composers would have been jolly in setting such dance tunes, I have been
sad or furious. My dance settings are energetic rather than gay.
In setting Molly on the Shore I strove to imbue the accompanying parts that made up the
harmonic texture with a melodic character not too unlike that of the underlying reel tune. Melody
seems to me to provide music with initiative, whereas rhythm appears to me to exert an enslaving
influence. For that reason I have tried to avoid regular rhythmic domination in my music -- always
excepting irregular rhythms, such as those of Gregorian chant, which seem to me to make for
freedom. Equally with melody, I prize discordant harmony, because of the emotional and
compassionate sway it exerts.
Program Note by Percy Aldridge Grainger
Molly on the Shore receives frequent performances from high school and university ensembles,
and it is certainly appropriate for a variety of concert programs. Although melodically
straightforward, this brisk reel will provide several technical challenges, especially for younger
players. For a successful performances, students must exhibit firm control over articulation and
finger technique. Fast tonguing pervades the upper woodwind parts, and performers should
approach the decorative triplet turns with care. Grainger's characteristically intricate tapestry of
melodies and countermelodies is thoroughly enjoyed by audiences.
- Notes from Great Music for Wind Band
Molly on the Shore is based on two Cork reel tunes, Temple Hill and Molly on the Shore. It was
originally set for string four-some or string band in the summer of 1907, and was also set for
symphony orchestra, theatre orchestra, and violin and piano in early 1914. Grainger dished-up
his band version in the spring of 1920, creating on of the great finger-busters in the literature. It
remains one of his most popular and beautifully conceived creations.
The version for 8 hands on four marimbas was suggested in 1978 by Eldon Janzen, Director of
Bands at the University of Arkansas. The current performance edition was realized in 1995.
Conceived as a sort of concerto grosso for four marimbists and band, it starts with Graingers
scoring, assigning much of the melodic material to the marimba soloists. Though some might
object to a treatment which tampers with Grainger's scoring. Grainger's propensity for rearranging his own music should lead one to feel at ease with other scoring possibilities for his
music. Grainger himself said that, so long as appropriate instrumental weight could be brought to
each melodic line of his music, he was not overly concerned with instrumental color (though his
artistry and ear as an orchestrator for band has seldom been equaled); Grainger believed that
his music as Bach's, could safely be re-set for many different combinations (as Grainger and
Band both did) so long as the Grainger texture is maintained.
Chalon Ragsdale is Professor of Music at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He is a
percussionist conductor and arranger In 2003 he was presented the International Percy Grainger
Societys Grainger Medallion in recognition of his work on behalf of the music of Percy Grainger.
His publications include A Tribute to Grainger for concert band, as well as a concert band setting
of GraingersJungle Book song cycle.
-Program note by Owasso High School Wind Ensemble