Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite

Albumbeschreibung

The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy, delivers a riveting and emotionally stirring performance in reflection of American composer Ferde Grofe's Grande Canyon Suite. Charming in effect and highly creative in technical prowess, the orchestra pays their respects to a uniquely gifted individual of 20th century modern classical music. This performance is a startling achievement by the Philadelphia Orchestra and merits a heralded feat paying respects to its creator. Written in 1931, Grofe explored the haunting mysteries and awe-inspiring beauty of the Grand Canyon's daily ritual as a natural wonder of splendid quality. Grofe was one of those rare composers who strayed away from the rational order and predetermined form of music to create a more freer movement of music, intuitive in scope and spur of the moment in pace. It is here that the listener can feel a wondrous sense of engagement, literally being spellbound and locked into the powerful yet sometimes delicate texture of Grofe's work. The Grande Canyon Suite is broken down into five sections, each an example in tone of a particular scene of the natural changes of a day and night in the canyon. "Sunrise" portrays the stirring delight of a rising sun in the east to proclaim the dawning of a glorious new day. The second part, "The Painted Desert," is a fabric of fascinating subtlety. In writing this part of the suite, Grofe plays with imagery, demonstrating the timeless and unchanging scene present in a lifeless desert. The music here depicts the shimmering colors and textures of the canyon's rock formations. The third movement, "On the Trail," is the most renowned of Grofe's art, a portrayal of a long day riding burrow-back through the canyon. Side two presents the movement "Sunset," an enriching and stirring setting of nostalgia and the sentimental. The purpose of this movement is to move the listener's ears and mind to images of a vibrant and engaging sunset, accompanied by a sky of changing colors with shadows deepening in the gorge. The fifth and final movement, "Cloudburst" depicts the growing effect of deafening winds and gathering clouds, as a violent and haunting storm approaches. The evening air is filled with blowing sand and earth. The storm breaks and thunder lights up a crashing sky of purple and red. Pelting rain emerges, and then soon the clouds break and a full moon gradually appears to glisten the sky. Quietly the moon radiates and brings with it a refreshed outlook to the evening. Throughout this masterpiece of composition, the listener can sincerely identify with Grofe's message. A work of breathtaking passion and filled with a graceful flair for the romantic, the Grande Canyon Suite is a reflection of some of the best work in 20th century classical music.

© Shawn Haney /TiVo