Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977) was an American conductor, who led the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, American Youth Orchestra, New York City Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, NBC Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, and American Symphony Orchestra. His career began with studies at the Royal College of Music in 1896 when Stokowski was just 13. He performed as an organist and choral director for several years in England, Europe and the U.S. before becoming director of the Cincinnati Orchestra in 1909. During his career, Stokowski promoted Modern and late Romantic music, combining an avant-garde approach with a traditional glamour that drew audiences of all sorts to his performances. Today he is perhaps most well known for his collaboration with Walt Disney on the movie Fantasia.
