Country

:

United States of America

Formed

:

March 27, 1892 in New York City, NY

Disband

:

April 3, 1972 in Santa Monica, CA

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Ferde Grofé was an American composer, arranger, and pianist who is best known for his orchestration of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." He was born Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofé on March 27, 1892, in New York City, to German immigrant parents. His father was a violinist and conductor, and his mother was a singer and pianist. Grofé grew up in a musical household and began playing the piano at a young age. Grofé's family moved to Los Angeles when he was a teenager, and he began playing in local dance bands. He also studied music theory and composition with private teachers. In 1917, he joined Paul Whiteman's orchestra as a pianist and arranger. Whiteman's band was one of the most popular in the country at the time, and Grofé quickly became one of its key arrangers. In 1924, George Gershwin approached Whiteman about writing a piece for his band that would combine classical and jazz music. Grofé was tasked with orchestrating the piece, which became known as "Rhapsody in Blue." The piece was a huge success and helped to establish Gershwin as a serious composer. Grofé's orchestration was praised for its innovative use of instruments and its ability to blend classical and jazz styles. Grofé continued to work with Whiteman's band throughout the 1920s and 1930s, arranging and composing many of its most popular pieces. He also began to compose his own music, including the "Grand Canyon Suite," which was inspired by a trip he took to the Grand Canyon in 1931. The suite is a tone poem that depicts the various landscapes and moods of the canyon, and it remains one of Grofé's most popular works. In addition to his work with Whiteman's band, Grofé also worked as a freelance arranger and composer. He wrote music for films, including "Metropolis" and "The Queen of Sheba," and he arranged music for other popular bands of the time, including Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. He also composed several other orchestral works, including the "Hollywood Suite" and the "Mississippi Suite." Grofé's music was known for its colorful orchestration and its ability to evoke a sense of place or mood. He was particularly skilled at using unusual instruments and sounds to create unique textures and atmospheres. His music was also influenced by jazz and other popular music of the time, and he was known for his ability to blend these styles with classical music. Grofé continued to compose and arrange music throughout his life, and he remained active in the music industry until his death in 1972. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, and his music continues to be performed and recorded today. His innovative use of orchestration and his ability to blend different musical styles have made him one of the most important American composers of the 20th century.

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