1895-1968
If I had to guess, Sowerby is probably best known for his organ music. Lately, he has been appreciated for other genres, such as orchestral and chamber music.
Due to his work in churches, he has a fair number of choral works as well, both octavo and large-scale.
Sowerby definitely has that Mid-Century Modern sound I often hear from this era of US composers. A mix of Romanticism and casual dissonance without a particularly strong pull of tunes.
A fair amount of recordings exist for Sowerby, even taking away the organ and solo vocal music. Albany and Cedille Records have done particular justice for exposing Sowerby's music on record.
Recordings and reviews currently on hand (Click below to visit):
1990: Trios
1991: Forsaken of Man
1994: Choral Music (Shewen)
1995: Christmas Music
1996: Harp Concerto
1997: Choral Music (Gloriæ Dei Cantores)
1997: Tone Poems
1997: Throne of God
1999: Music for Organ and Orchestra
1999: Symphony 2
2011: Canticle of the Sun
2021: Paul Whiteman Commissions
2024: String Quartet