 In London , Grainger 's charm , good looks and talent ( with some assistance from the local Australian community ) ensured that he was quickly taken up as a pianist by wealthy patrons , and was soon performing in concerts in private homes . The Times critic recorded after one such appearance that Grainger 's playing " revealed rare intelligence and a good deal of artistic insight " . In 1902 he was presented by the socialite Lillith Lowrey to Queen Alexandra , who thereafter frequently attended his London recitals . Lowrey , 20 years Grainger 's senior , traded patronage and contacts for sexual favours – he termed the relationship a " love @-@ serve job " . She was the first woman with whom he had sex ; he later wrote of this initial encounter that he had experienced " an overpowering landslide " of feeling , and that " I thought I was about to die . If I remember correctly , I only experienced fear of death . I don 't think that any joy entered into it " . 
