When I think of heat, even living next to the ocean, I go back to the Grand Canyon Suite by Grofe. Ferdie was a great arranger, having done the first arrangement for Rhapsody in Blue of Gershwin fame for the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. He also wrote a bunch of suites like this one (Mississippi, Death Valley, etc.). I grew up hearing his music just because it showed up in park music and civic orchestras. It showed up because it is fun to play, perfectly scored, and the audience loves it...the most important thing.
Here are two versions of the painted desert....one kinda wierd and the other the original. Fun nevertheless.
Here are two versions of the painted desert....one kinda wierd and the other the original. Fun nevertheless.