Introduction
Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977) was one of the 20th Century's greatest orchestral conductors. British-born of Polish-Irish ancestry, his musical career was made in the United States, where he became a naturalised American citizen. He built the Philadelphia Orchestra into one of the world's finest orchestral ensembles, championed countless contemporary composers, made hundreds of outstanding recordings, appeared in several motion pictures, and in his later years guest-conducted all over the world to tremendous acclaim. He was still active at the time of his death at the age of 95 in 1977.
Two years later The Leopold Stokowski Society was formed. The Society's objectives are devoted to the reissue of Stokowski's recordings, performances of his celebrated orchestral transcriptions, and the appreciation of his life and work. The Society publishes its own magazine, entitled TOCCATA, three times a year, and in conjunction with Cala Records releases historic Stokowski recordings on CD twice a year.