Letter from Leo Sowerby to Ernest M. Skinner

Dear Mr. Skinner:

Many thanks for your letter. I am very grateful for your interest in my Symphony for organ, and I’m sorry that I have not been able to hear Miss Crozier play it — particularly that I didn’t hear her do it in Washington. I would love to have a copy of your record, as you suggest so kindly, if it is possible for you to let me have it.

It certainly takes all sorts of people and opinions to make up a world! Last week I was in Detroit to play a recital of my own works (on a Möller — terrible instrument!) and I was talking to one of the prominent Detroit organists who had heard Miss Crozier’s performance of my Symphony in the Washington Cathedral, and who also is familiar with Mr. Biggs’ recording. He said he disliked Miss Crozier’s playing intensely, and is greatly taken with Mr. Biggs’ recording. So there you are! I do not feel it is proper for a composer to enter into discussion about the various interpretations of his work, particularly when the various performers concerned are his friends. So I say nothing at all, and am glad that everyone can find some performance or other to suit him. As far as I am concerned, I am simply glad that the work is played and continues to arouse interest and discussion. I know what I had in mind when I wrote the work, and were I to play it, might give an interpretation still different from all of the others! But it would be bad manners on my part to criticize others who have devoted themselves to the study and conscientious performance of the work.

I would be very glad to hear Miss Crozier’s performance via recording, you may be sure. Thanks again for your letter.

With kindest wishes,

Sincerely,
Leo Sowerby