Night Ferry (composition)

The Night Ferry was a musical composition by American composer Aaron Copland. It is a short, evocative orchestral piece written in 1936. Originally conceived as incidental music for a radio play, Copland later reworked it into a stand-alone concert work.

The composition is characterized by its atmospheric and often dissonant harmonies, reflecting the mysterious and potentially unsettling nature of a nocturnal journey. It is scored for a relatively small orchestra and typically lasts around four to five minutes in performance.

"Night Ferry" is considered a minor work in Copland's oeuvre, particularly when compared to his more famous ballets and orchestral pieces. However, it is still regarded as a significant example of his compositional style during the mid-1930s, showcasing his experimentation with modernist harmonies and his ability to create evocative soundscapes. The piece captures a mood of introspection and quiet tension, characteristic of many of Copland's works from this period. While not frequently performed, "Night Ferry" offers a glimpse into a lesser-known facet of Copland's diverse output.