Leopold Anthony Stokowski was a British-born American conductor. One of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th century, he is best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He was especially noted for his free-hand conducting style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from the orchestras he directed.
Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Stokowski historical marker at 240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra at 2 March 1916 American premiere of Mahler's 8th Symphony
Screenshot from the 1947 film Carnegie Hall
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance, such as an orchestral or choral concert. It has been defined as "the art of directing the simultaneous performance of several players or singers by the use of gesture." The primary duties of the conductor are to interpret the score in a way that reflects the specific indications in that score, set the tempo, ensure correct entries by ensemble members, and "shape" the phrasing where appropriate. Conductors communicate with their musicians primarily through hand gestures, usually with the aid of a baton, and may use other gestures or signals such as facial expression and eye contact. A conductor usually supplements their direction with verbal instructions to their musicians in rehearsal.
Herbert von Karajan conducting in 1941
Giuseppe Verdi conducting his opera Aida in 1881
Leonard Bernstein conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1985
Conductor's score and batons on a lit, extra-large conductor's music stand