The Los Angeles River — Chamber Ensemble

The Los Angeles River is a single movement from the larger orchestral work The Mulholland Suite for Orchestra . The piece explores themes of nature, memory, transformation, and the relationship between the land and the growth of Los Angeles. The music reflects the beauty of the Los Angeles River as William Mulholland first encountered it in the late 1800s — an awe-inspiring landscape of tranquil water flowing through willow trees, inspiring his decision to make Los Angeles his home. At times lyrical and cinematic, the work evokes the movement of water, early California landscapes, and the energy of a rapidly expanding city. The piece is connected to Sprigg’s larger orchestral project, The Mulholland Suite , which explores the history of water and the development of Los Angeles through the story of William Mulholland and the aqueduct system that transformed Southern California. Rather than telling a literal story, The Los Angeles River invites listeners to experience the emotional character of the river itself — peaceful, restless, and deeply connected to the history of Los Angeles.