The Death Valley Suite is a short symphonic suite written by Ferde Grofé in 1949, depicting the westward travels of pioneers through the 'harsh lands' of Death Valley in California.
[1] The composition and music was part of a pageant celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 49ers who came by way of Death Valley in search of gold and other riches and celebration of the California state centennial (1850-1950).
[2] The original performance was conducted by Grofe with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony on December 3, 1949 in the Desolation Canyon area of Death Valley National Monument (now Death Valley National Park).
The music was used in the background as a procession of covered wagons entered the area.
Ferde Grofé was commissioned by the California State Centennial Commission and the Death Valley '49ers to write the suite for the 1949 California Centennial Pageant.