Leo Sowerby(1895-1968): a Catalogue of the Orchestral and Choral Music

[Dundonnell]

The conservative Sowerby was the organist of the Episcopalian Cathedral in Chicago for 35 years and was very much the 'Dean of Chicago music' for several decades. In the 1920s and 1930s his music was regularly performed but-as with so many other fine American composers-the advance of intolerant modernism led to his steady eclipse. Today his music is little heard and, were it not for the efforts of Cedille, would be almost completely forgotten. For those of a romantic disposition- and there are more than a few on this forum-the music is worth your time and attention

LEO SOWERBY: A CATALOGUE OF THE ORCHESTRAL AND CHORAL MUSIC

1913/24:Violin Concerto: 33 minutes    *
1914-16:Cello Concerto No.1
1915:   Symphonic Sketch "The Sorrow of Mydath"
             Rhapsody on British Folk Tunes for orchestra: 14 minutes
1916:   "The Irish Washerwoman: Country Dance Tune" for orchestra: 4 minutes
             "Homage to England's Country Folk(Three Folksongs from Somerset)" for orchestra: 12 minutes
1916-17/
1916-19:Concerto for Harp and Small Orchestra: 18 minutes
1917:   "A Set of Four: Suite of Ironics" for orchestra
             Tramping Tune for band or orchestra: 4 minutes
             Serenade for string orchestra: 15 minutes
             "Money Musk"-A Country Dance Tune for orchestra
1919:   Piano Concerto No.1: 37 minutes
             Overture "Comes Autumn Time": 4 minutes    +  (Cecille cd)
1920-21:Symphony No.1: 36 minutes
1922:   "Ballad of King Estmere" for Two Pianos and Orchestra: 17 minutes
              Rhapsody for chamber orchestra: 11 minutes
1923-24:Psalm Symphony for soloists, chorus, organ and orchestra: 80 minutes
1923:   Suite "From the Northland" for orchestra: 20 minutes   +  (Cedille cd)
1924:   "Synconata" for jazz orchestra: 10 minutes
1925:   Cantata "The Vision of Sir Launfal" for contralto, tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra
             "Monotony": a Symphony for Metronome and Jazz Orchestra: 24 minutes
1926:   Medieval Poem for Organ and Orchestra: 26 minutes    +  (Naxos cd)
1927-28:Symphony No.2: 24 minutes   +  (Cedille cd)
1929-34:Cello Concerto No.2: 27 minutes
1929:   Symphonic Poem "Prairie": 16 minutes    + (Cedille cd)
1931:   American Rhapsody for Band: 9 minutes
1931-32:Passacaglia, Interlude and Fugue for orchestra: 16 minutes   +  (Cedille cd)
1932:   Piano Concerto No.2: 17 minutes   *
             Two Prayers for Voice and Orchestra: 11 minutes
1934:   Spring Overture for band: 9 minutes
1936:   Organ Concerto No.1 in C major    *
1938:   Piece after Sandburg's "Theme in Yellow" for orchestra: 20 minutes   *     +  (Cedille cd)
1939-40:Symphony No.3: 35 minutes    *
1941:   Poem for Viola and Orchestra: 17 minutes
             Concert Overture: 7 minutes    +  (Cedille cd)
1942:   Song for America for chorus and orchestra: 9 minutes
             Fanfare(for Airmen) for band: 1 minute
1943:   "Portrait: Fantasy in Triptych" for orchestra: 13 minutes
             Fantasy on Hymn Tunes for orchestra: 10 minutes
1944:   Classic Concerto for Organ and Strings: 18 minutes    +  (CRI, Albany and Naxos cds)
             Cantata "Canticle of the Sun" for chorus and orchestra: 32 minutes
1944-47:Symphony No.4: 27 minutes
1951:   Concert Piece for Organ and Orchestra: 18 minutes      +  (Cedille cd)
1953:   Festival Musick for Organ, Brass and Timpani: 21 minutes    +  (Naxos cd)
1954:   "All on a Summer's Day" for orchestra: 12 minutes  *  +  (Cedille cd)
1956-57:"The Throne of God" for chorus and orchestra: 46 minutes
1964:   Symphony No.5: 29 minutes
1965:   Cantata "Solomon's Garden" for tenor, chorus and orchestra: 16 minutes
1967:   Organ Concerto No.2: 24 minutes
             "La Corona" for chorus and orchestra: 21 minutes

and      Sinfonietta for string orchestra: 21 minutes
             Two Romantic Pieces for orchestra: 15 minutes