Stokowski Ceremony

240 South Broad Street, Philadelphia; at the Academy of Music
the brick facade of the Academy is under renovation

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Stokowski Marker Dedication Ceremony, Sept. 18, 2021
Leopold Stokowski was first among the musical innovators who began bringing the Philadelphia Sound to the world, through performance, radio and recordings. He experimented with new orchestral techniques and instruments. He had the right mixture of showmanship and talent to break the stale old mold of "classical music" and make audiences cheer. As conductor and musical director he took the Philadelphia Orchestra to new heights, making it a real "world class" institution. On September 18 of this year Stokowski was honored with an official Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marker, placed in front of the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. It's wording is as follows:

Leopold Stokowski
(1882-1977)
Visionary music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, 1912-1941. Possessing a unique combination of musical genius and charisma, he created the "Philadelphia Sound" and promoted classical music to a wide audience in the Disney film Fantasia and hundreds of recordings.

At 12 noon, some thirty individuals gathered in front of the Academy of Music at 240 South Broad Street in Philadelphia to witness the official unveiling of the marker. During a thirty five minute program, conducted by Sylwia Czajkowska, President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation several individuals were introduced. First the national anthems of Poland and the United States were played. Then, Deborah M. Majka, the Honorary Consul for Southeastern Pennsylvania, spoke for the Polish Consulate. She was followed by Nancy Moses, head of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Matias Tarnopolsky, chief executive officer of the Philadelphia Orchestra added his remarks on the past and current status of the orchestra, while Paul Krzywicki, a tubist retired from the orchestra commented on the long time influence of Leopold Stokowski's legacy. Incidentally, Paul is the author of From Paderewski to Penderecki a book which recounts the Polish influence on music in Philadelphia. Janusz Romanski, representing Polonia Technica, an association of Polish engineers in the United States presented Sylwia with a commendation certificate, on the accomplishment of placing this historical marker. At the end Peter J. Obst read from a proclamation issued by James F. Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia especially for this ceremony. Then as strains of Beethoven 's Fifth Symphony sounded (recorded by Leopold Stokowski 1943) the cover was lifted from the marker to the applause of those present.
Some persons lingered afterwards to take some pictures in front of the marker, including Alexandra Golaszewska and her husband John B. Kelly III, president of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Several years prior the Kelly family was granted a historical marker at their former Philadelphia residence. Alexandra's father, Walter Golaski, an inventor and engineer, was similarly honored on Drexel University grounds. Many persons commented on the value of honoring outstanding persons of Polish background with similar symbols of recognition. Visitors to center city Philadelphia now have a new reference point and a historical reminder of its musical heritage.
It should also be mentioned that the Philadelphia Department of Streets was very helpful in the installation of this marker. Normally the installation takes place a week or two before the unveiling. Unfortunately, Philadelphia was affected by flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida and the Dept. of Streets, already shorthanded because of the Covid pandemic, was hard pressed to accomplish this planned task. Fortunately, they performed with great dedication and installed the marker on the Friday morning, a day before the dedication ceremony. We owe them many thanks.

Crowd gathered in front of the Academy of Music listens to Hon. Consul Debbie Majka

(l. to r.) Sylwia Czajkowska, President of the Phila. KF Chapter; Nancy Moses, head of the PA Historical and Museum Commission

Peter Obst removed the outer covering on the marker

the Stokowski Marker

Matias Tarnopolsky, chief executive officer of the Philadelphia Orchestra

(l. to r.) Sylwia Czajkowska, President of the Phila. KF Chapter; Deborah M. Majka, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland
for Southeastern Pennsylvania

(l. to r.) Alexandra Golaszewska and her husband John B. Kelly III, president of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation