Reissues of two documentary films originally released by the Resettlement Administration in 1936 & the Farm Security Administration, U.S.D.A., in 1938, respectively, with newly-recorded versions of Thomson's original scores. The first film is about the socio-economic history of the Great Plains from their settlement to the then-current drought & depression; the 2nd deals with life in the Mississippi River Valley, showing the consequences of ecological damage & floods, concluding with scenes of regional planning, the TVA & other federal efforts.

Program notes by Joseph Horowitz & the conductor inserted in container.

Written & directed by Pare Lorentz.

Music recorded June 11-12, 2005 at Omega Recording Studios, Rockville, Md.

The Plow that Broke the Plains (27 min.)

The River (32 min.)

Added features: George Stoney (a film director) on The Plow & The River (15 min.)

Stoney on the New Deal, The River & race (6 min.)

Charles Fussell (a composer) on Virgil Thomson (18 min.)

Virgil Thomson on Virgil Thomson (audio only) (8 min.)

The original ending of The Plow that Broke the Plains (4 min.)

The original beginning of The Plow that Broke the Plains (3 min.)

Water resources development > Mississippi River Valley.

Land use > Mississippi River Valley.

Great Plains > Economic conditions.

Great Plains > Social conditions.

Great Plains > History.

Mississippi River > History.

Post-Classical Ensemble.