His name has meant glamour and excitement in the world of music for half a century.
This documentary film examines the colourful life that began 89 years ago in London. It follows Stokowski's early years as the youngest student ever admitted to the Royal College of Music; his work as organist and choirmaster at St James's Church, Piccadilly; his appointment to the Cincinnati Symphony; and his 26-year tenure as conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
The programme includes musical excerpts in which Stokowski rehearses the London Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, and his American Symphony Orchestra in Schubert's Symphony No 8 ('The Unfinished') and Sousa's march 'The Stars and Stripes Forever.'
A BBC/NET co-production
(Stokowski Concert: Wednesday, 14 July, BBC1)