 In 1945 Grainger devised an informal ratings system for composers and musical styles , based on criteria that included originality , complexity and beauty . Of forty composers and styles , he ranked himself equal ninth – behind Wagner and Delius , but well ahead of Grieg and Tchaikovsky . Nevertheless , in his later years he frequently denigrated his career , for example writing to Scott : " I have never been a true musician or true artist " . His failure to be recognised as a composer for anything beyond his popular folk @-@ song arrangements was a source of frustration and disappointment ; for years after his death the bulk of his output remained largely unperformed . From the 1990s an increase in the number of Grainger recordings has brought a revival of interest in his works , and has enhanced his reputation as a composer . An unsigned tribute published on the Gramophone website in February 2011 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Grainger 's death opined that " though he would never be put on a pedestal to join the pantheon of immortals , he is unorthodox , original and deserves better than to be dismissed by the more snooty arbiters of musical taste " . 
