Leopold Stokowski

Leopold Stokowski (April 18, 1882 - September 13, 1977) (born Antoni Stanis?aw Boles?awowicz) was the conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the NBC Symphony Orchestra and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He was the founder of the New York City Symphony Orchestra. He arranged the music for and appeared in Disney?s Fantasia.

Professional Career

In 1905 Stokowski began work in New York City as the organist and choir director of St. Bartholomew's Church. He became very popular amongst the parishoners (who included JP Morgan and members of the Vanderbilt family) but eventually quit the position to pursue a post as an orchestra conductor. He moved to Paris for additional study before hearing that the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra would be needing a new conductor when it returned from a hiatus. So, in 1908, he began his campaign to obtain the position, writing multiple letters to the orchestra's president, Mrs. C. R. Holmes, and traveling to Cincinnati for a personal interview. Eventually he was granted the post and officially took up his duties in the fall of 1909.

Related Topics:
1905 - New York City - Vanderbilt family - Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra - Cincinnati - 1909

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Stokowski was a great success in Cincinnati, introducing the idea of "pop concerts" and conducting the United States premieres of new works by composers such as Edward Elgar. However, in early 1912 he became sufficiently frustrated with the politics of the orchestra's board that he tendered his resignation. There was a dispute over the resignation, but on April 12 it was finally accepted.

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Two months later, Stokowski was appointed director of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Stokowski made his Philadelphia debut on October 11, 1912. This position would bring him some of his greatest accomplishments and recognition.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia Orchestra - Philadelphia - October 11 - 1912

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Stokowski rapidly garnered a reputation as a showman. His flair for the theatrical included grand gestures such as throwing the sheet music on the floor to show he did not need to conduct from a score. He also experimented with lighting techniques in the concert hall, at one point conducting in a dark hall with only his head and hands lighted, at other times arranging the lights so they would cast theatrical shadows of his head and hands. Late in the 1929-30 season, he started conducting without a baton; his free-hand manner of conducting became one of his trademarks.

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On the musical side, Stokowski nurtured the orchestra and shaped the "Stokowski" sound. He encouraged "free bowing" from the string section, "free breathing" from the brass section, and continually played with the seating arrangements of the sections as well as the acoustics of the hall in order to create better sound.

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Stokowski's repertoire was broad and included contemporary works. In 1916, he conducted the United States premiere of Mahler's 8th Symphony. He added works by Rachmaninoff, Sibelius and Igor Stravinsky. In 1933, he started "Youth Concerts" for younger audiences which are still a Philadelphia tradition and fostered youth music programs.

Related Topics:
1916 - Mahler's - Rachmaninoff - Sibelius - Igor Stravinsky - 1933

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After disputes with the board, Stokowski began to withdraw from involvement in the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1935 onwards, allowing then co-conductor Eugene Ormandy to gradually take over.

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In 1940, Stokowski formed the All-American Youth Orchestra which took multiple tours overseas and was met with rave reviews. During this time he also become co-conductor of the NBC Symphony Orchestra with Arturo Toscanini.

Related Topics:
1940 - All-American Youth Orchestra - NBC Symphony Orchestra - Arturo Toscanini

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Also in 1940, Stokowski collaborated with Walt Disney to create the movie for which he is best known - Fantasia. He conducted the segments for the "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" and "Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria" and even got to talk to Mickey Mouse while onscreen.

Related Topics:
Walt Disney - Fantasia - Mickey Mouse

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In 1944, on the recommendation of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, Stokowski helped form the New York City Symphony Orchestra, aimed at middle-class workers. Ticket prices were set low and the times of concerts made it convenient to attend after work. Many early concerts were standing room only; however, a year later in 1945, Stokowski was at odds with the board (who wanted to trim expenses even further) and he resigned.

Related Topics:
1944 - Fiorello LaGuardia - New York City Symphony Orchestra

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In 1945, Stokowski founded the Hollywood Bowl Symphony. The orchestra lasted for two years before it was disbanded. It was later restarted in 1991.

Related Topics:
1945 - Hollywood Bowl Symphony

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In the late 1940s, Stokowski became chief Guest Conductor of the New York Philharmonic.

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From 1955 to 1961, Stokowski was the Music Director of the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

Related Topics:
1955 - 1961 - Houston Symphony Orchestra

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In 1962, at the age of 80, Stokowski founded the American Symphony Orchestra. He served as music director for the orchestra, which continues to play, until May 1972 when, at the age of 90, he returned to England.

Related Topics:
1962 - American Symphony Orchestra - 1972

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In 1976, he signed a recording contract that would have kept him active until he was 100 years old. However, he died of a heart attack the following year at the age of 95.

Related Topics:
1976 - Heart attack

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