SEARCH

← Return to search results

Guide to the Leo Sowerby papers

Collection Title: Leo Sowerby papers
Dates: 1911-1995
Bulk Dates: 1911-1967
Identification: Sowerby
Creator: Sowerby, Leo, 1895-1968
Extent: 52 Folders
Acquisition Information: Donated by Ronald Stalford and the Leo Sowerby Foundation beginning in 1993.
Preferred Citation: Leo Sowerby Papers, Northwestern University Music Library.
Repository: Music Library
Deering Library
1970 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL,
URL: http://www.library.northwestern.edu/music
Email: musiclibrary@northwestern.edu
Phone: 847-491-3434

Biographical/Historical Information

Leo Sowerby was an American composer and church musician.

Scope and Content

Chiefly music manuscripts of original compositions.

Arrangement of Materials

Arranged in four series: 1. Music manuscripts (alphabetical) ; 2. Sketches (alphabetical) ; 3. Sketchbooks ; 4. Miscellaneous materials.


Container List / Contents

  • Music manuscripts, 1911-1964, n.d.
    • American rhapsody, 1931Folder 1
        Scope and Contents: For band
    • Arioso for organ, 1942Folder 2
    • Ballad for 2 pianos and orchestra, 1922Folder 3
    • The canticle of the sun, 1943-1944Folder 4
        Scope and Contents: For chorus and orchestra
    • Christmas introit, n.d.Folder 5
        Scope and Contents: For chorus and organ
    • Concerto for harp with small orchestra, 1916-1919Folder 6
    • Concerto for organ and orchestra, 1936-1937Folder 7
    • Concerto for violin and orchestra, 1925Folder 8
    • Concerto for violoncello and orchestra, 1929-1934Folder 9
        Scope and Contents: In E minor (Cello concerto no. 2)
    • Concerto in miniature, 1932Folder 10
        Scope and Contents: For piano and orchestra (Piano concerto no. 2)
    • Fanfares, 1955Folder 11
        Scope and Contents: Trombone part only
    • Fantaisie [en] ut majeur pour deux violons, alto, violoncelle, et pianoforte, 1911Folder 12
    • Fantasy sonata, 1944Folder 13
        Scope and Contents: For violin and piano (Sonata for violin and piano no. 4); includes Pastorale from an August night, the second song in the cycle From the Hillcrest
    • Homage to England's country folk, 1916Folder 14
        Scope and Contents: For orchestra
    • Monotony : a symphony for metronome and jazz orchestra, 1925Folder 15
        Scope and Contents: Includes holograph sketches.
    • Monotony : a symphony for metronome and jazz orchestra, 1925Folder 16
        Scope and Contents: Includes photocopies of the parts (originals in the Williams College Whiteman Collection) and a photocopy of the holograph score provided by the Leo Sowerby Foundation, annotated with conductor's markings.
    • El oficio de la Santa Communion, 1940; rev. 1954Folder 17
        Scope and Contents: Includes sketches
    • Passacaglia, interlude, and fugue, 1931-1932Folder 18
        Scope and Contents: For orchestra
    • Passacaglia, interlude, and fugue, 1931Folder 19
        Scope and Contents: For piano
    • Poem for viola and orchestra, 1942Folder 20
    • Prayer of the singer, 1932Folder 21
        Scope and Contents: For voice and orchestra
    • Psalm 142, 1964Folder 22
        Scope and Contents: For high voice and organ
    • Psalm symphony (Untitled oratorio), 1923-1924Folder 23
    • Psalm symphony (Untitled oratorio), 1923-1924Folder 24
        Scope and Contents: Vocal score with piano, 4 hands
    • Quintet for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon, 1916Folder 25
    • Rhapsody for chamber orchestra, 1922Folder 26
    • A set of three, 1959Folder 27
        Scope and Contents: For piano
    • Sonata for organ, 1914-1917Folder 28
    • Sonata for piano, 1948; rev. 1963Folder 29
        Scope and Contents: (Piano sonata no. 3)
    • Song for America, 1942Folder 30
    • Songs of resignation, 1948Folder 31
        Scope and Contents: For voice, violin, clarinet, and piano
    • Spring overture, 1934Folder 32
        Scope and Contents: For band
    • String quartet [no. 5] in G minor, 1935Folder 33
    • Symphony [no. 1] for orchestra, 1920-1921Folder 34
    • Symphony no. 2 in B minor, 1927-1928Folder 35
    • Symphony no. 3 in F-sharp minor, 1939-1940Folder 36
    • Synconata, 1924Folder 37
        Scope and Contents: For band (includes holograph sketches, photocopies of the parts (originals in the Williams College Whiteman Collection), and a photocopy of the holograph score provided by the Leo Sowerby Foundation, annotated with conductor's markings)
    • Three beach sketches, n.d.Folder 38
    • Toccata, 1939Folder 39
        Scope and Contents: In C (for organ)
    • Tramping tune, 1917Folder 40
        Scope and Contents: For piano and string orchestra/solo strings
    • Trio [no. 1 en] ut-dieze mineur pour violon, violoncelle, et pianoforte, 1911Folder 41
    • Trio [no. 3] for violin, violoncello, and pianoforte, 1952-1953Folder 42
    • A triptych of diversions. Sonatina, 1962Folder 43
        Scope and Contents: For organ, oboe, 2 violins, double bass, and percussion
    • A triptych of diversions. Fugue, 1962Folder 44
        Scope and Contents: For organ, oboe, 2 violins, double bass, and percussion
    • A triptych of diversions. Variations on a diverted tune, 1962Folder 45
        Scope and Contents: For organ, oboe, 2 violins, double bass, and percussion
  • Sketches, 1923-1967
    • Dialogue for piano and organ, 1967Folder 46
    • Passacaglia for pianoforte, 1942Folder 47
    • String quartet, 1923Folder 48
        Scope and Contents: In D minor (String quartet no. 4)
    • Suite for 4 hands, 1959Folder 49
  • Sketchbooks, 1966
    • Manuscript paper (Everybody's favorite series no. 117), 1966Folder 50
      • Turn thou us, O good Lord, 1966Folder 50, Item 1
          Scope and Contents: For chorus and organ
      • All my heart this night rejoices, 1966Folder 50, Item 2
          Scope and Contents: For chorus and organ
      • Benedictus es, Domine, 1966Folder 50, Item 3
          Scope and Contents: For women's chorus and organ
      • Processional for the reception of a bishop, 1966Folder 50, Item 4
          Scope and Contents: For organ; includes "Ecce sacerdos" ("Behold, a great High Priest") for unaccompanied SATB chorus
      • Psalm 70, 1966Folder 50, Item 5
          Scope and Contents: For men's chorus and organ
      • Psalm 124, 1966Folder 50, Item 6
          Scope and Contents: For men's chorus and organ
      • Psalm 133, 1966Folder 50, Item 7
          Scope and Contents: For men's chorus and organ
      • Death is the subtle suitor, 1966Folder 50, Item 8
          Scope and Contents: For high voice and piano; from "Five songs on texts by Emily Dickinson"
      • "Unto me?" I do not know you, 1966Folder 50, Item 9
          Scope and Contents: For high voice and piano; from "Five songs on texts by Emily Dickinson"
      • I never saw a Moor, 1966Folder 50, Item 10
          Scope and Contents: For high voice and piano; from "Five songs on texts by Emily Dickinson"
      • Because I could not stop for Death, 1966Folder 50, Item 11
          Scope and Contents: For high voice and piano; from "Five songs on texts by Emily Dickinson"
      • I meant to find her, 1966Folder 50, Item 12
          Scope and Contents: For high voice and piano; from "Five songs on texts by Emily Dickinson"
      • La Corona, 1966Folder 50, Item 13
          Scope and Contents: For tenor, chorus, and orchestra (short score); text by John Donne
  • Miscellaneous materials, 1993-1995, n.d.
    • Metronome 3-D animation for Monotony, n.d.Folder 51
        Scope and Contents: By Ron Small; on U-matic tape
    • The compositions of Leo Sowerby, 1993Folder 52
        Scope and Contents: "Compiled by Ronald M. Huntington for the Leo Sowerby Foundation" (195 p.)
    • Materials regarding the centennial of Sowerby's birth, 1995Folder 53
        Scope and Contents: Includes press release, events calendar, and invitation (6 p.); color photocopy of score to "332, F.A." (3 p.); May 1, 1995 issue of Sowerby, the newsletter of the Leo Sowerby Foundation (16 p.); and the May 1995 issue of The American Organist with Sowerby on the cover (96 p.)