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A Sowerby Celebration
In honor of his 125th birthday, Cedille reflects on its first Sowerby recording
Cedille Records has a 30-year history of recording and sharing the artistry of Chicago’s outstanding classical talent — past and present — with a worldwide audience, including the exceptional work of Leo Sowerby (1895–1968). In honor of his 125th birthday anniversary (May 1), we’re delighted to share the special history of our first recording to feature the distinguished Chicago composer.
Since 1997, Cedille has been “sweet on Sowerby”
In July 1997, Cedille released Prairie: Tone Poems by Leo Sowerby, featuring Sowerby orchestral works conducted by Chicago’s Paul Freeman. This was the first time Sowerby’s work appeared on the Cedille label, prompting a special marketing campaign that would surely leave a tasteful impression.
Nat Silverman, Cedille’s PR director, devised a campaign to promote the release in the sweetest way by including another Chicago creation in the press package: a box of sweet and sour Lemohead candies with customized packaging highlighting details of the release.
This specialty campaign was well received, and gained recognition in the classical column of Billboard Magazine.
Since then, Cedille has gone on to produce four more albums comprising Sowerby works including: Symphony No. 2 — and other works, The Pulitzer Project, American Works for Organ and Orchestra, and our most recent Sowerby release, Selected Works for Solo & Duo Piano.
We hope that this bit of Cedille history brightens your day, and inspires you to explore more of our Leo Sowerby catalog.
Recommended
Leo Sowerby, Paul Freeman, Chicago Sinfonietta, Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Leo Sowerby: Symphony No. 2 & other works
Grant Park Orchestra, Grant Park Chorus, Carlos Kalmar
The Pulitzer Project
David Schrader, Grant Park Orchestra, Carlos Kalmar
American Works for Organ and Orchestra
Gail Quillman, Julia Tsien
Leo Sowerby: Selected Works for Solo & Duo Piano
Recommended
The Cavatina Duo — renowned Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagić and Spanish flutist Eugenia Moliner — collaborates with the Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet on River of Fire, an album featuring world-premiere recordings of five original compositions that bridge classical traditions and Gypsy influences.
Songs in Flight features world premiere recordings of Shawn E. Okpebholo’s complete song cycle for which the album is named, along with four additional art songs — one from each of his other song cycles — building upon the themes and messages of his work, performed by Grammy winning and-nominated artists known for their dedication to cultural and historical music projects.
Newly updated for Black History Month 2025 and in honor of our February release, Chicago composer Shawn E. Okpbeholo’s Songs in Flight, our Black Composers on Cedille playlist now features albums from the past two years at the top.
Enjoy 25% off Cedille’s Weekly Featured Release.