Death Valley Suite
Encyclopedia
The "Death Valley Suite" is a short symphonic suite
written by Ferde Grofe
in 1952 depicting the westward travels of pioneers through the 'harsh lands' of Death Valley
in California.
The movements are titled:
Suite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
written by Ferde Grofe
Ferde Grofé
Ferde Grofé was a prominent American composer, arranger and pianist. During the 1920s and 1930s, he went by the name Ferdie Grofé.-Early life:...
in 1952 depicting the westward travels of pioneers through the 'harsh lands' of Death Valley
Death Valley
Death Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California. Situated within the Mojave Desert, it features the lowest, driest, and hottest locations in North America. Badwater, a basin located in Death Valley, is the specific location of the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet below...
in California.
The movements are titled:
- I. Funeral Mountains - a strange atonal movement in 5/4 time
- II. '49er Emigrant Train - features colorful musical depictions of an indian attack and a wagon train
- III. Desert Water Hole - a medley mixing Oh, Susannah and the main theme of the piece.
- IV. Sand Storm - another atonal movement featuring a wind machine with a final coda recapitulating the main dramatic theme.