Entering Our Digital Home

You are entering the digital home of Ferde Grofé, where the timeless melodies of a musical maestro find their online stage. Explore the harmonious journey of a composer whose creations have woven their way into the fabric of American music history. From symphonic masterpieces such as the "Grand Canyon Suite", to his iconic arrangements of George Gershwin's "A Rhapsody in Blue", immerse yourself in the musical world of Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofé.

Ferde Grofé was an American composer, pianist, arranger, and conductor, best known for his orchestral works and arrangements. He was born Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofé on March 27, 1892, in New York City. Grofé's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he began studying piano and violin as a child of 7.

In his early career, Grofé worked as a pianist in cafes and theaters, gaining experience in performing and arranging music. He later joined Paul Whiteman's orchestra as a pianist and arranger, where he became known for his innovative orchestrations and compositions, including the arranging of George Gershwin's "A Rhapsody in Blue".

Grofé's most famous work is undoubtedly his orchestral suite "Grand Canyon Suite," which he composed in 1931. This piece captures the grandeur and majesty of the American landscape, drawing inspiration from Grofé's own experiences traveling through the Grand Canyon, the first time in 1916 at age 24.

In addition to the "Grand Canyon Suite," Grofé composed other notable works, including "Mississippi Suite" and "Metropolis." He also arranged many popular tunes of the time for Whiteman's orchestra, contributing to the development of the symphonic jazz & orchestral music genres.

Throughout his career, Grofé continued to compose, arrange, and conduct music, leaving a lasting impact on American music. He passed away on April 3, 1972, leaving behind a legacy of innovative orchestral compositions and arrangements that continue to be celebrated and performed to this day.

• Publish a biography of Ferde Grofé.
• Have Grofé's first major composition, "Mississippi Suite", performed nationwide for its 2026 centennial year.
• Provide a scholarship to an American composer to write a piece in the Grofé style, musically describing an American landscape.
• Develop an online, user-friendly database to access approximately 3,000 digital archive items, including photographs, correspondence, audio, and video.
• Increase live performances of Grofé's compositions.
• Produce new recordings of one or more of his compositions.
• Provide a scholarship for an American composer to write a piece combining orchestral and electronic music. Grofé pioneered electronic music using the Novacord, the world's first commercial polyphonic synthesizer, at the 1939-40 New York World's Fair Ford Pavilion.