Mississippi Suite, A Tone Journey: 4. Mardi Gras

Ferde Grofe’s (1892-1972) Mississippi Suite depicts scenes along a journey down the Mississippi River, from its headwaters of Minnesota down to New Orleans. The work was composed in 1926 and first performed that year by Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra in New York City. Later, American lyricist Harold Adamson wrote words to the music from the ballad theme of the suite’s final movement. The resulting song was called “Daybreak.” In July 1942, it was recorded and released by Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, and Tommy Dorsey. All three versions made the top 20 in the National Best-Selling charts, with Tommy Dorsey and his vocalist, Frank Sinatra, peaking at number 10 in October. Sinatra later recorded it along with many of his 1940’s hits on his 1961 reprise album, I Remember Tommy. Movements: 1. Father of Waters, 2. Huckleberry Finn, 3. Old Creole Days, 4. Mardi Gras. This fourth movement, “Mardi Gras,” is a popular standalone work and is frequently programmed in concerts without the first three movements of the suite when a shorter, upbeat work is needed. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2+EH.2+BCl.2+CBsn: 4.3.3 (3rd BTbn).1: Timp.Perc(4).Clst.Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). The full Mississippi Suite is also available from the publisher.