Sowerby, Leo

Modern period American composer and organist Leo Sowerby (1895-1968) wrote in practically every musical genre save opera. He is most known, however, for his organ compositions and his sacred choir pieces. He was among the first organists to break with European tradition and produce works that were based on the American experience, just as Gershwin and other near contemporaries were doing in other areas of music. He won the 1946 Pulitzer Prize for his oratorio The Canticle of the Sun.