Grainger, Percy. (1882–1961) [Stanford, C. Villiers (ed.).] [Röntgen, Julius. (1855–1932)]. The Complete Collection of Irish Music as noted by George Petrie (...) (1789-1866) - SIGNED TO JULIUS RONTGEN. London: Published for the Irish Literary Society of London by Boosey & Co.. 1902-1905. First Edition. A rare and interesting signed volume from the Australian-born pianist, conductor, and composer best known for his own folk settings and colorfully experimental works. A rare collection including 1582 song tunes as noted by George Petrie, edited from the original manuscripts by Charles Villiers Stanford, signed and inscribed on the title by Grainger in Danish "I beundring og venskab fra Percy Grainger" ["In admiration and friendship from"], and dated "10.09." 3 vols. in 1. [xxix]]; 397 pp; tinted facsim. (fold.). 8vo (28 cm). Upper joint slightly worn at the top, a few pages lightly foxed, publisher's purple stamp on title, else fine. Acquired from the library of composer Julius Rontgen.

Grainger had a predilection for Scandinavian culture and its inhabitants and visited Denmark numerous times to collect material. The songs he collected there were used later in his compositions "Danish Folk Music Settings," of which his "Danish Folk Music Suite," for orchestra is the most well-known. Grainger spoke Danish fluently and corresponded with composers, ethnologists and other friends there throughout his life.

The German-Dutch composer and pianist Julius Rontgen studied with Reinecke and Lachner and was a close associate of Grainger, Brahms, Grieg, Joachim and others. He spent many of his summer holidays in Denmark and maintained close friendships there. "When he first met Röntgen at the Griegs in Troldhaugen in 1907 [Grainger] appeared to be remarkably well acquainted with Röntgen’s music. Röntgen, in turn, was impressed by the young man: he designated him as a ‘folkloric genius’." (Juliusrontgen.nl) Presumably the present volume was inscribed in Danish while both he and Grainger were in Denmark.