The Percy Grainger museum is open to the public, free admission.
They keep the doors locked because they run on a skeleton staff;
just ring the bell and they'll answer.  It is open Monday to Friday
10 AM to 4 PM.  It is located at Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne.
Tel (+61 3) 9344 5270.

It is the most extraordinary place.  I grew up with a fascination about
Grainger (my piano teachers thought there was something wrong with me),
and so on my first concert tour to Melbourne with the soprano, Rita
Hunter, I made a beeline for the museum.  I go back every time I visit
Melbourne.

At least six of Grainger's pianos are on display, two or three
harmoniums, a recreation of his London music room ca. 1914, MSS of
Delius, Goosens, Cyril Scott, and of course Grainger amongst others,
paintings, clothes (the brightly coloured terry towelling is
fantastic), Grainger's own pen and ink and watercolour drawings,
letters from Melba and just about everyone else.  There are also the
musical instruments he collected from all over the world, the
phonograph and wax cylinders with which he collected the folk songs,
the famous "Kangaroo Pouch" Free Music Machines (the rolls of paper
at least 3 feet wide!).

A distant relative of mine, and close friend and scholar of Percy
Grainger, Sir Frank Callaway, tells me that the music machines actually
did work.  They were made in conjunction with Burnett Cross.  I will
find some of the technical information in one of my books and post it
at some later stage.  It is quite fascinating.

It really is well worth a visit if you are in Melbourne.  (My intention
during September is to forget the Sydney Olympics and head off to
Melbourne).

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has visited the
Grainger house at Cromwell Place, White Plains, New York.  I hope to
be able to make a trip there at some stage this year.

Regards,

Glenn Amer