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{stuh-kahf'-skee}
The great conductor Leopold Stokowski, b. London, Apr. 18,
1882, d. Sept. 13, 1977, was one of the most colorful public
personalities of his time. He studied at Oxford University
and the Royal College of Music as well as in Paris and Munich.
He came to the United States in 1905, and, after a few years
as a church organist in New York City, he became (1909-12)
conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, immediately
attracting attention with his flamboyant conducting style.
The peak of his career was reached during the next 23 years
(1912-38) as he developed the PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA into
one of the world's greatest ensembles. At the same time, he
developed a personal image of almost unprecedented glamour.
For theatrical effect he had spotlights focused on the podium,
highlighting his aristocratic profile, flowing blond hair,
and graceful hands (he conducted without a baton). He scandalized
purists by altering composers' orchestrations and making lush
orchestral arrangements of Bach's organ music. His programming
of modern music eventually ruffled his audiences and the orchestra's
board of directors, and over this issue Stokowski left Philadelphia
in 1936. He continued an active and controversial career well
into his nineties. Stokowski appeared in several films during
the 1930s and '40s, most notably in Walt Disney's Fantasia
(1940).
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