Leo Sowerby
Encyclopedia
Leo Sowerby American
composer
and church musician, was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1946, and was often called the “Dean of American church music” in the early to mid 20th century.
, where he began to compose at the age of ten. Early recognition came when his violin concerto
was premiered in 1913 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
(Stalford & Meckna 2001). In 1921 he was awarded the Rome Prize
(from the American Academy in Rome
), the first composer to receive this. In addition he received the 1946 Pulitzer Prize for Music
for his cantata
, the Canticle of the Sun, written in 1944 (Stalford & Meckna 2001).
In 1927 he became organist-choirmaster at St James’s Episcopal Church, Chicago, which was consecrated as a cathedral while he was there (1955). Previously, Sowerby was associate organist at Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago
(1919).
In 1962, after his retirement from St James’s, he was called to Washington National Cathedral
to become the founding director of the College of Church Musicians, a position he held until his death in 1968 (Stalford & Meckna 2001). He died in Port Clinton, Ohio
, while at Camp Wa-Li-Ro, in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, the summer choir camp where he had taught for many years.
His substantial output includes over 500 works in every genre but opera and ballet (Stalford & Meckna 2001). His later works, done at St James's, Chicago, and Washington Cathedral, are primarily church music for choir
and organ
. Sowerby's notable pupils included Robert Beadell
, Miriam Clapp Duncan, William Ferris, Edwin Fissinger, Milan Kaderavek, Gail Kubik
, Roland Leich, Darwin Leitz, Norman Luboff
, Maylon Merrill (Jack Benny
's longtime music director), Gerald Near, William Partridge, Florence Price
, Ned Rorem
, Ronald Stalford, Robert Stewart, and David Van Vactor
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and church musician, was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1946, and was often called the “Dean of American church music” in the early to mid 20th century.
Biography
Sowerby was born in Grand Rapids, MichiganGrand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, where he began to compose at the age of ten. Early recognition came when his violin concerto
Violin concerto
A violin concerto is a concerto for solo violin and instrumental ensemble, customarily orchestra. Such works have been written since the Baroque period, when the solo concerto form was first developed, up through the present day...
was premiered in 1913 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
(Stalford & Meckna 2001). In 1921 he was awarded the Rome Prize
Rome Prize
The Rome Prize is an American award made annually by the American Academy in Rome, through a national competition, to 15 emerging artists and to 15 scholars The Rome Prize is an American award made annually by the American Academy in Rome, through a national competition, to 15 emerging artists...
(from the American Academy in Rome
American Academy in Rome
The American Academy in Rome is a research and arts institution located on the Gianicolo in Rome.- History :In 1893, a group of American architects, painters and sculptors met regularly while planning the fine arts section of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition...
), the first composer to receive this. In addition he received the 1946 Pulitzer Prize for Music
Pulitzer Prize for Music
The Pulitzer Prize for Music was first awarded in 1943. Joseph Pulitzer did not call for such a prize in his will, but had arranged for a music scholarship to be awarded each year...
for his cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
, the Canticle of the Sun, written in 1944 (Stalford & Meckna 2001).
In 1927 he became organist-choirmaster at St James’s Episcopal Church, Chicago, which was consecrated as a cathedral while he was there (1955). Previously, Sowerby was associate organist at Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago
Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago
The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church located on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago, directly across the street from the John Hancock Center.-History:...
(1919).
In 1962, after his retirement from St James’s, he was called to Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
to become the founding director of the College of Church Musicians, a position he held until his death in 1968 (Stalford & Meckna 2001). He died in Port Clinton, Ohio
Port Clinton, Ohio
Port Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Ottawa County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,056 at the 2010 census. The city has been nicknamed the "Walleye Capital of the World."...
, while at Camp Wa-Li-Ro, in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, the summer choir camp where he had taught for many years.
His substantial output includes over 500 works in every genre but opera and ballet (Stalford & Meckna 2001). His later works, done at St James's, Chicago, and Washington Cathedral, are primarily church music for choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
and organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
. Sowerby's notable pupils included Robert Beadell
Robert Beadell
-Life:After military service as a bandsman with the United States Marines during the Second World War, Beadell enrolled in the music program at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where his clarinet teacher, Dominick DiCaprio, encouraged him to study composition...
, Miriam Clapp Duncan, William Ferris, Edwin Fissinger, Milan Kaderavek, Gail Kubik
Gail Kubik
Gail Thompson Kubik was an American composer, motion picture scorist, violinist, and teacher. He studied at the Eastman School of Music, the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago with Leo Sowerby, and Harvard University with Walter Piston and Nadia Boulanger...
, Roland Leich, Darwin Leitz, Norman Luboff
Norman Luboff
Norman Luboff was an American music arranger, music publisher, and choir director.-Early years:Norman Luboff was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1917. He studied piano as a child and participated in his high school chorus. Luboff studied at the University of Chicago and Central College in Chicago...
, Maylon Merrill (Jack Benny
Jack Benny
Jack Benny was an American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor for radio, television, and film...
's longtime music director), Gerald Near, William Partridge, Florence Price
Florence Price
- Career :Florence Price is considered the first black woman in the United States to be recognized as a symphonic composer. Even though her training was steeped in European tradition, Price’s music consists of mostly the American idiom and reveals her Southern roots...
, Ned Rorem
Ned Rorem
Ned Rorem is a Pulitzer prize-winning American composer and diarist. He is best known and most praised for his song settings.-Life:...
, Ronald Stalford, Robert Stewart, and David Van Vactor
David Van Vactor
David Van Vactor was an American composer of contemporary classical music.He was born in Plymouth, Indiana, and received Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University...
.
Choral
- CantataCantataA cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
s- A Liturgy of Hope (selections from the Psalms) (1917)
- The Vision of Sir Launfal (poem of James Russell LowellJames Russell LowellJames Russell Lowell was an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat. He is associated with the Fireside Poets, a group of New England writers who were among the first American poets who rivaled the popularity of British poets...
(1925) - Forsaken of Man (PassionPassion (Christianity)The Passion is the Christian theological term used for the events and suffering – physical, spiritual, and mental – of Jesus in the hours before and including his trial and execution by crucifixion...
setting, adapted from the GospelGospelA gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
s by Edward Borgers) (1939) - The Canticle of the Sun (St Francis of AssisiFrancis of AssisiSaint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
) (1944) - Christ Reborn, for voices and organ (1950)
- The Throne of God (Book of RevelationBook of RevelationThe Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
), for voices and orchestra (1956) - The Ark of the Covenant, for voices and organ (1961)
- AnthemAnthemThe term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word...
s- "Ad te levavi animam meam"
- "Behold, O God our Defender"
- "Christians, to the Paschal Victim"
- "Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire"
- "I was glad when they said unto me"
- "I will lift up mine eyes"
- "Love Came Down at ChristmasLove Came Down at Christmas"Love Came Down at Christmas" is a Christmas poem by Christina Rossetti. It was first published without a title in Time Flies: A Reading Diary in 1885...
" - "Now There Lightens Upon Us"
- "Thy Word is a lantern" (in memory of President John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
) - "Seeing We Also Are Compassed About" (Hebrews 12:1-2, commissioned by the Illinois Wesleyan UniversityIllinois Wesleyan UniversityIllinois Wesleyan University is an independent undergraduate university located in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856...
Collegiate Choir in the fall of 1957)
Organ solo
- Comes Autumn TimeComes Autumn TimeComes Autumn Time is a concert overture by Leo Sowerby. Composed in 1916, it was introduced by the New York Symphony Society, under the baton of Walter Damrosch, in 1918. The piece is one of Sowerby's most popular, and was inspired by a poem by Bliss Carman entitled "Autumn".The overture opens...
(1916) - Carillon (1917)
- Symphony in G (1930)
- Pageant (1931)
- Prelude on "The King's Majesty" (1945)
- Canon, Chacony, & Fugue (1948)
- Ten Hymn Preludes (published separately; 1950s)
- Sinfonia Brevis (1965)
- Passacaglia (1967)
Organ with other instruments
- Elevation, for violin and organ (1912)
- Ballade, for English horn and organ (1949)
- Toccata on 'A.G.O. for organ, brass and timpani
- Festival Musick for organ, brass and timpani
- Concertpiece for organ and orchestra, (1951)
- Fantasy, for trumpet and organ (1962)
Orchestra
- Five symphoniesSymphonyA symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
- No. 1 (1921)
- No. 2 (1927)
- No. 3 (1939–40)
- No. 4 (1944–47)
- No. 5 (1964)
- From the Northland, suite for orchestra (1923)
- Prairie, symphonic poem for orchestra (1929)
- A Set of Four: A Suite of Ironics, published in 1931
- Concert Overture, for orchestra
Orchestra with solo instruments
- Violin Concerto in G major (1913, revised 1924)
- Cello Concerto in A major (1914–16)
- Piano Concerto no. 1 (1916, revised 1919)
- Ballad of King Estmere, for two pianos and orchestra (1922)
- Medieval Poem, for organ and orchestra (1926)
- Cello Concerto [no. 2] in E minor (1929–34)
- Piano Concerto no. 2 (1932)
- Organ Concerto no. 1 (1937)
- Classic Concerto, for organ and string orchestra (1944)
- Concerto in C, for organ and orchestra
- Harp Concerto
- Concert Piece, for organ and orchestra (1951)
Chamber music
- Three Violin SonataViolin sonataA violin sonata is a musical composition for violin, which is nearly always accompanied by a piano or other keyboard instrument, or by figured bass in the Baroque period.-A:*Ella Adayevskaya**Sonata Greca for Violin or Clarinet and Piano...
s- No. 1 in A majorA majorA major is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has three sharps.Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor...
- No. 2 in B-flat major (1922)
- No. 3 in D majorD majorD major is a major scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. Its key signature consists of two sharps. Its relative minor is B minor and its parallel minor is D minor....
- No. 1 in A major
- Sonata for Cello and PianoCello sonataA cello sonata is usually a sonata written for cello and piano, though other instrumentations are used, such as solo cello. The most famous Romantic-era cellos sonatas are those written by Johannes Brahms and Ludwig van Beethoven...
(1920) - Sonata for Viola and PianoViola sonataThe viola sonata is a sonata for viola, sometimes with other instruments, usually piano. The earliest viola sonatas are difficult to date for a number of reasons:...
(also playable on clarinet) - Piano trioPiano trioA piano trio is a group of piano and two other instruments, usually a violin and a cello, or a piece of music written for such a group. It is one of the most common forms found in classical chamber music...
in C-sharp minor - SerenadeSerenadeIn music, a serenade is a musical composition, and/or performance, in someone's honor. Serenades are typically calm, light music.The word Serenade is derived from the Italian word sereno, which means calm....
for string quartetString quartetA string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
in G majorG majorG major is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Its key signature has one sharp, F; in treble-clef key signatures, the sharp-symbol for F is usually placed on the first line from the top, though in some Baroque music it is placed on the first space from the bottom...
published 1921 - Wind QuintetWind quintetA wind quintet, also sometimes known as a woodwind quintet, is a group of five wind players . The term also applies to a composition for such a group....
(1916, published in 1931) - Piano SonataPiano sonataA piano sonata is a sonata written for a solo piano. Piano sonatas are usually written in three or four movements, although some piano sonatas have been written with a single movement , two movements , five or even more movements...
in D Major (1948, rev. 1964) - PassacagliaPassacagliaThe passacaglia is a musical form that originated in early seventeenth-century Spain and is still used by contemporary composers. It is usually of a serious character and is often, but not always, based on a bass-ostinato and written in triple metre....
for piano
Discography
- My Love Unspoken (21 songs), Albany (Troy196), 1996 (with Robert Osborne, bass-baritone, and Malcolm Halliday, pianist; John Yaffé, producer).
Sources
- Amacker, Marianne. 1970. "The Chorale Preludes of Leo Sowerby". The Diapason 61, no. 9 (August): 20–21.
- Sharp, Timothy W. 1995. "The Choral Music of Leo Sowerby: A Centennial Perspective". The Choral Journal. 35, no. 8 (March): 9–19.
- Stalford, Ronald, and Michael Meckna. 2001. "Sowerby, Leo". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition, edited by Stanley SadieStanley SadieStanley Sadie CBE was a leading British musicologist, music critic, and editor. He was editor of the sixth edition of the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians , which was published as the first edition of the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.Sadie was educated at St Paul's School,...
and John TyrrellJohn Tyrrell (professor of music)John Tyrrell was born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in 1942. He studied at the universities of Cape Town, Oxford and Brno. In 2000 he was appointed Research Professor at Cardiff University....
. London: Macmillan Publishers.
External links
- Art of the States: Leo Sowerby
- Stover, Harold. 1995. "Sowerby at 100". The New England Organist (May–June).