Ferde Grofé

Mississippi Suite

Ferde Grofé’s "Mississippi Suite—A Journey in Tones" (1925) is a colorful orchestral suite in which the composer depicts a musical journey along the mighty Mississippi River. Grofé (1892–1972) was a versatile American composer and arranger who became best known outside the United States as the arranger of George Gershwin’s *Rhapsody in Blue*.
His greatest personal success was the *Grand Canyon Suite*, which brought him international recognition. Grofé moved effortlessly between classical music and light music, including jazz, and composed not only orchestral suites but also film scores, ballets, chamber music, and a piano concerto.

Wil van der Beek created an arrangement of this work for wind orchestra, in which the parts for contrabassoon, celesta, and harp were deliberately distributed among other instruments in the wind orchestra so that orchestras without these instruments could also perform the work.

The "Mississippi Suite" consists of four movements that together depict a musical journey from the river’s source in Minnesota to the vibrant city of New Orleans. Each movement has a distinctly evocative character and showcases Grofé’s talent for instrumentation and atmospheric rendering.

Movement 1: "Father of the Waters"
This opening movement describes the river’s origins, which indigenous peoples reverently called the "Father of the Waters."
The music begins on a grand and majestic scale with dignified brass and expansive woodwind passages that evoke the grandeur of the landscape.
At the same time, a certain sense of calm and mysticism resonates, alluding to the land of the Chippewa Indians. Through subtle shifts in timbre, Grofé makes the river’s course musically palpable.

Movement 2: "Huckleberry Finn"
Here, Grofé draws on Mark Twain’s famous novel *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*.
This short, lively movement centers on a mischievous and adventurous mood. The music is playful, rhythmically agile, and full of surprising accents.
Woodwinds and percussion lend the movement a cheeky character, as if young Huck were up to his usual pranks on the riverbank.

Movement 3: "Old Creole Days"
In this slower and more contemplative movement, Grofé presents his interpretation of spirituals as sung by enslaved people on the plantations along the river. Melodious lines, warm harmonies, and a swaying accompaniment create an atmosphere of melancholy and longing.
At the same time, a sense of resilience and inner strength resonates throughout.

Movement 4: "Mardi Gras"
The final movement depicts the exuberant carnival in New Orleans, culminating in Mardi Gras. Here, the wind ensemble unfolds energetic dance rhythms, radiant brass passages, and sparkling percussion. Jazz influences and Southern joie de vivre characterize the music.
The work concludes with a festive, rousing finale.

The metronome markings in this arrangement are to be understood as suggestions by the arranger. The conductor is free to choose his or her own interpretation of the tempo.

With the "Mississippi Suite," Grofé proves himself a master of musical soundscapes. The work is not only a journey along a river but also a musical exploration of American identity.