Ferde Grofé

American Composer and Arranger

Ferde Grofé (1892–1972) was an American composer, arranger, pianist, and instrumentalist. During his career, he is best known for his orchestral works as well as for his arrangements. One of his most famous compositions is the "Grand Canyon Suite," a work that vividly depicts the Grand Canyon with each movement representing a particular time of day and location within the canyon. His talent for creating musical landscapes extended to other suites such as the "Mississippi Suite," which musically illustrates scenes along the Mississippi River, and the "Death Valley Suite," inspired by the desert landscapes of California.