Veni, veni, Emmanuel

Today is the First Sunday of Advent.

Robert Leo Sowerby (1895-1968), often called the "Dean of American church music," was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he began to compose at the age of ten. His interest in the organ began at the age of 15, he was self-taught at the instrument. He studied composition with Arthur Olaf Andersen at the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago. He spent time in France during World War 1 in the role of bandmaster. In 1921 he was awarded the Rome Prize, the first composer to receive this. He joined the American Conservatory of Music as faculty in 1924. In addition he received the 1946 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his cantata, the "Canticle of the Sun," written in 1944. In 1927 he became organist-choirmaster at St James’s Episcopal Church, Chicago. 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. His substantial output includes over 500 works in every genre but opera and ballet. His later works, done at St James's, Chicago, and Washington Cathedral, are primarily church music for choir and organ.

"Veni, veni Emmanuel" (Praeludium)" is found in the collection, "Advent to Whitsuntide" which was published by Hinrichsen Edition, Peters Ltd. in 1963. It is dedicated: "To Robert John Lind." Robert Lind served as Organist and Choirmaster of St. James Cathedral, from 1962-1965. He was Sowerby's immediate successor.

This is quite an unusual setting of the well-known plainsong hymn. Sowerby shows us all his characteristic fingerprints in terms of textures and harmonies. At times the work is modal, at other times much more "modern," and we even hear some of the jazz and blues that he frequently used. The end is wonderfully atmospheric.

The score is attached, as well as photos of Sowerby.