Discover Utah’s Classical Music Heritage

Presenting a curated selection of classical works from Utah’s past, featuring unique recordings that celebrate the state’s rich musical legacy between 1850 and 1950. Our musical past is not all lost, and some of our historic composers left works worth revisiting. Experience more than 50 newly recorded tracks that represent a variety of Utah’s historic classical styles, from concert and stage works to church offerings. This new web site is still under construction, but here are a few “teaser” recordings from the many that will be on this site soon.

The Grasshopper is a clever little etude with attitude from the 1860s, composed by Orson Pratt, Jr. One of 30 piano solos in the collection. A live recording. (Click the title.)
The Wizard of the Wasatch was a march composed by Gustave Schuster as the theme for a festival in SLC around 1915. (Click the title.)
Melody in A for violin and piano, a 1905 selection by William C. Clive. One of a dozen ensemble works. A live recording. (Audio only so far – click below to hear it.)
Four Seasons in Utah arranged for string quartet from 4 songs (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) by Evan Stephens, from 1905 or earlier. Un-authorized, but until this site comes up with a way to record vocals, we’ll sprinkle in a few of these adaptations. (Audio only so far – click below to hear it.)

The examples posted here have been prepared and recorded from works found in various sheet music archives, and the gallery will continue to grow as additional offerings are found and recorded. We welcome input and (legal) music sharing from those who also have an interest in this subject. More music files will be added to pages here later in 2026, and will be divided by category as the site structure is finalized. Come back and listen to more of the music of Utah’s past. Each of these pieces was once “new music”, and we hope this collection also helps inspire continued creativity in making new music in the future.

Note that this site is not specifically an LDS/Mormon music site, but due to the time and place being featured, many (but not all) of the composers presented here will be of that background. However, most of the music selections on these lists will be secular in nature.

Instrumental music is currently the featured offering on this site, with historic vocal music recordings coming sometime in the future. This collection includes many piano solos, but also chamber music, stage music, and even a few excerpts from large scale pieces for orchestra.

(For the curious, more of the recorded music which will be coming here is already available at another web site – www.yandro.com )

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