Scottish composer and teacher Sir John Blackwood McEwen (1868-1948) is best remembered today for his long tenure and dedicated service to the Royal Academy of Music in London. His primary concern during his life was promoting the cause of Scottish classical music, and his bequest to the University of Glasgow to commission new Scottish chamber music continues to this today. McEwen was a very active composer, having amassed a substantial catalogue of works during his lifetime. After his death in 1948 McEwen’s compositions have remained relatively unknown. This could partially be due to McEwen’s tendency to promote the music of his students instead of advocating for his own.
This essay presents the first critical edition of his Sonata for Viola and Piano, making it available to performers and scholars. It is also the hope that this publication will inspire future critical editions and performances of McEwen’s other compositions, especially his late chamber music.