Late in 2020, as the world was in the throes of the COVID pandemic, and as I was completing my doctorate, a unique opportunity presented itself. I gave a lecture on two unpublished, unrecorded, and largely unknown organ sonatas written by the great American composer Leo Sowerby. Francis Crociata, president of the Leo Sowerby Foundation, asked if I would be willing to record them, along with some of Sowerby’s other unrecorded works. I have always had a love of Sowerby’s music, but have found adequate comprehensive documentation on his oeuvre and the man himself hard to come by. Sowerby’s more popular works (“Pageant,” “Comes Autumn Time,” “Arioso,” for example), especially from his “Orchestral Period,” have been recorded and rerecorded, but his more angular works stemming from his “Baroque Response” and “Pure Organ” periods have, in my opinion, been given short shrift. After consulting with Francis Crociata and poring over various repertoire options and combinations, it was decided that I would record the two unpublished organ sonatas (“Sonata for Organ” from 1917, “Church Sonata” from 1956) as well as three chorale preludes (“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart,” “Prelude on a Calvinist Hymn-Tune,” and “Prelude on the Benediction: Ite, Missa Est”).

Leo Sowerby’s importance in American church and concert music cannot be understated. From his church anthems and organ works to his instrumental and orchestral pieces to his place in education, Sowerby held a place of prominence in the music scene of the United States, especially after being awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his cantata “Canticle of the Sun” in 1945. It is only fitting that Sowerby’s music be documented and accessible to present musicians and those belonging to generations to come.

This recording, whose completion is slated for August 2026, will provided important documentation for absences in Sowerby’s recorded output. If you would like more information, or if you would like to assist with financial support, please contact Dr. Borges in the “Contact” section of this website.