Leopold Stokowski

Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Anthony Stokowski (18 April 1882 – 13 September 1977) was a British conductor of Polish and Irish descent. One of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th Century, he is best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra and for appearing in the film Fantasia. He was especially noted for his free-hand conducting style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from the orchestras he directed.

Stokowski was music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the NBC Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony of the Air and many others. He was also the founder of the All-American Youth Orchestra, the New York City Symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra and the American Symphony Orchestra.

Stokowski conducted the music for and appeared in several Hollywood films, including Disney's Fantasia, and was a lifelong champion of contemporary composers, giving many premieres of new music during his 60-year conducting career. Stokowski, who made his official conducting debut in 1909, appeared in public for the last time in 1975 but continued making recordings until June 1977, a few months before his death at the age of 95.
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Leopold Stokowski

Leopold Stokowski

Leopold Anthony Stokowski (18 April 1882 – 13 September 1977) was a British conductor of Polish and Irish descent. One of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th Century, he is best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra and for appearing in the film Fantasia. He was especially noted for his free-hand conducting style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from...
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54 albums
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BRAHMS Symphony No. 1
WEBER Invitation to the Dance
J STRAUSS II On The Beautiful Blue Danube
J STRAUSS II Tales from the Vienna Woods
LISZT Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Recorded 1926-27
Total duration: 70:01

The Philadelphia Orchestra
conducted by Leopold Stokowski

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WAGNER Tannhäuser – Overture and Venusberg Music ∙ Prelude to Act 3; Tristan und Isolde – Prelude and Liebestod (First Release)
PURCELL-STOKOWSKI  “When I am laid in earth” (Dido and Aeneas)
TCHAIKOVSKY Andante cantabile from Symphony No. 5; Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker
PROKOFIEV  Three excerpts from The Love for Three Oranges

Studio recordings, 1941-50
Total duration: 65:02 

Leopold Stokowski, conductor
New York City Symphony Orchestra

NBC Symphony Orchestra
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BACH Chorale Preludes
SZABELSKI Toccata
SHOSTAKOVICH Prelude in E flat minor
PROKOFIEV Romeo and Juliet Suite
TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake Suite
BRAHMS Symphony No. 2
GLIERE Symphony No. 3
Recorded 1958
Total duration: 2hr 37:58

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Leopold Stokowski

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GOULD Spirituals
STRINGFIELD A Symphonic Patrol
CRESTON Chant For 1942
SCHUMAN Prayer, 1943
THOMSON The Plow That Broke The Plains
KELLY Sunset Reflections
COOLEY Promenade
HARRIS Folk Rhythms Of Today

Broadcast recordings, 1941-44
Total duration: 79:38

NBC Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Leopold Stokowski

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SCHOENBERG Verklärte Nacht
BARTÓK Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion
GOULD Dance Variations
Recorded 1952 and 1953
Total duration: 73:59

San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Stokowski Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Leopold Stokowski

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BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral'
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7
WAGNER Tristan und Isolde: Prelude & Liebestod
WAGNER Parsifal: Good Friday Music
WAGNER Parsifal: Act 3 - Symphonic Synthesis

Live broadcast recordings, 1942/43
Total duration: 2hr 32:37

Collegiate Choir
NBC Symphony Orchestra

conducted by Leopold Stokowski