The Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra told me: 'we instruct you not to play modern music.' I said that's a little too far 'instructed.' I don't like that word. Tear up the contract. It was a long contract and I did complete it, but when they asked me to renew I said 'no' - and I left... Stokowski

Leopold Stokowski, the veteran conductor now in his eighties, is one of the most legendary, enigmatic, and controversial personalities in music. He was born in London and was sometime organist of St. James's, Piccadilly, before going to America where he made his musical career. In this first of two programmes he speaks of his early life and recalls his work with the American orchestras, notably the Philadelphia, whose tone he made famous throughout the world.