Grofé, Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)

Ferde Grofé (1892-1972) is perhaps best known for the musical landscape Grand Canyon Suite, the opening movement of which (“Sunrise”) is featured here.

But Grofé has much more on his resume that deserves attention, in particular his long history with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, one of the most popular Big Bands in the 1920s and 1930s. Paul Whiteman was known as the “King of Jazz.” Grofé joined the band as a pianist in 1917 and continued as one of its principal arrangers until 1932. He was responsible for arranging Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for its 1924 premiere.

The Paul Whiteman Orchestra also gave the premiere performance of Grand Canyon Suite in 1931 and issued the first recording in 1932.

Grofé recounted his first visit to the Grand Canyon, saying

I first saw the dawn because we got there the night before and camped. I was spellbound in the silence, you know, because as it got lighter and brighter then you could hear the birds chirping and nature coming to life. All of a sudden, bingo! There it was, the sun. I couldn’t hardly describe it in words because words would be inadequate.

That matches my own first encounter, arriving well before sunrise on a moonless (freezing) night, and seeing the canyon gradually revealed by the sunrise. It’s the best way.

Grofé later formed his own orchestra, taught briefly at the Juilliard School of Music, and composed the soundtrack to several films.

I should add that I have had numerous occasions in his series to feature youth or student orchestras (last week included). Professor Carol and I both have had strong ties with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, and many of our readers are either students or teachers, so it seems fitting to showcase student performers where possible.