On September 18th, the local Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation will dedicate an officially sanctioned Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission marker to commemorate the achievements of former Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Leopold Stokowski.
Leopold Stokowski was among the musical innovators who first brought the “Philadelphia Sound” to the world, through performance, radio, and recordings. He experimented with new orchestral techniques and with the placement of instruments on the stage. With a unique combination of musical genius and charisma, he took The Philadelphia Orchestra to new heights and promoted classical music to a wide audience. Little wonder then, that when Walt Disney was creating his precedent-breaking animated film Fantasia, he collaborated with Stokowski, who was part of the inspiration for the project, and asked him to conduct the score and appear in the film.
So that Stokowski's achievements are remembered into the 21st century and beyond, the Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation is installing a historical marker, approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, in front of the Academy of Music on Broad Street in Philadelphia.
The dedication will take place at 12:00 PM on September 18, 2021.