In Memoriam

Abstract

Stokowski accepting his honorary membership in 1 5 8 L eopold Stokowski died in En-gland at the age of 95. Born in London in 1882, Stokowski rose to international prominence as a controversial and influential conductor. He was named an honorary member of the Audio Engineering Society in 1958 for his outstanding contribution to the field-for his ability to combine audio engineering with esthetics to produce the ultimate in music. When Stokowski came to America in 1905 as an organist. he had almost no conducting experience. He took over the Cincinnati Orchestra in 1909 and three years later he became conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, which moved from a secondary rank to a place of prominence under his direction. There his reputation as an intuitive and inspirational conductor was established and the legendary Stokowski sound was ordained. Always experimental and innovative , Stokowski created the first light and music presentation, and despite criticism continued to perform the music of new composers, asserting "the new generation [of Stravinsky, Schonberg and Shostakovich] must be heard." In 1931 he made some of the first commercial long-playing recordings: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Schonberg's "Gurrelieder." He soon became known as the "godfather of high fidelity. " In addition to his extraordinary reputation as a musician, Stokowski was considered somewhat of a maverick in his defense of all forms of music. He maintained that "the history of popular music showed that it was the true art form of the people." In fulfilling his goal "to make the greatest kind of music available to everyone" he recorded some 20 albums after the age of 90 under a contract which would have extended to his centennial. The man leaves a legacy ; and the Audio Engineering Society joins the many who mourn his death. E dwin Beemish, Life Member of the AES, died in New Jersey at the age of 70. In the course of his career, Mr. Beemish worked in shop production and field service of audio engineering, specializing in the areas of broadcasting and recording. A Charter Member of the Delaware Valley Radio Association, M r. Beemish ran his own radio business for 17 years. His work consisted of development, installation and operation of broadcast studios, wired music and recording studios. He was involved in designing and building audio equipment used in conjunction with synchronized mechanical displays.