March 27 - Ferde Grofé (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for March 27th may be found here: Antonio Squarcialupi (2019), Sarah Vaughan, and Patty Smith Hill; Ben Webster (2021)

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Ferde Grofé (27 March 1892 –3 April 1972) was an American composer, arranger, and pianist best known for his 1931 five-movement tone poem, Grand Canyon Suite and for having orchestrated Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Wonders, Naturally Wondering

(1)

The music of Ferde Grofé

Was perfectly fine in its day,

Though the Grand Canyon Suite

Is a musical treat

That no one’s still eager to play.

(2)

“On the Trail” is a pleasant enough

Example of musical fluff.

But a ride in a canyon 

With a donkey companion

You’d think would be somewhat more rough.

 

 

 

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