WorldView Episode 65: Ferde Grofé

New episodes of WorldView haven’t aired in the last few weeks, but new shows will return beginning July 3rd! Join me for a special episode celebrating the 4th of July, featuring marches and other works by William Grant Still, John Philip Sousa, and more! This post will focus on the life and career of Ferde Grofé, an American composer best known for orchestrating George Gershwin’s 1924 premiere of “Rhapsody in Blue.”

Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofé was born in New York in 1892. Both of his parents were musicians, and instructed Grofé in violin and piano at a young age. He left home at age 14, performing with various small ensembles and arranging shorter works. By the 1920s, Grofé had completed his first commissioned works and joined Paul Whiteman’s orchestra, where he arranged hundreds of works for the group and its performers.  He was soon approached by fellow composer George Gershwin (WorldView Episode 19 & 50) to orchestrate the work “Rhapsody in Blue.” Grofé wrote the work for Whiteman’s orchestra, and added several embellishments heard in modern recordings of the piece. 

In 1926, Grofé wrote one of his most performed works, “Mississippi Suite.” The piece depicts scenes from the river, stretching from its beginnings in Montana to New Orleans. Like many of Grofé’s works, “Mississippi Suite” reflects different images of American culture and heritage. This episode of WorldView features Grofé’s “Grand Canyon Suite.” One of his most well-known compositions, the work is made up of five movements: “Sunrise,” “Painted Desert,” “On The Trail,” “Sunset,” and “Cloudburst.” It is performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and conductor William Stromberg. Enjoy, and happy Independence Day!

WorldView Episode Sixty-Five Playlist:

Henry FILLMORE, “The Circus Bee”, {Eastman Wind Ensemble, Frederick Fennell} - Mercury

John Philip SOUSA, “Stars and Stripes Forever”, {The President’s Own United States Marine Band, Jose Serebrier} - Naxos

William Grant STILL, “Suite for Violin and Piano”, {Videmus} - New World Records

Ferde GROFÉ, “Grand Canyon Suite”, {Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, William Stromberg} - Naxos

Edwin BAGLEY, “National Emblem”, {Boston Pops, Arthur Fiedler} - RCA Victor

WorldView is a classical music radio show featuring composers from everywhere in the world - except Western Europe. Tune in to hear works by lesser-known artists such as Jennifer Higdon and Sergio Assad, and widen your knowledge of classical music. Hinke Younger hosts each week’s episode of WorldView on Mondays at 4AM, 9AM and 6PM (with rebroadcasts Saturdays at 2PM and 7PM) on Charlottesvilleclassical.org.