New York City Symphony Orchestra

In 1944, New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia invited Leopold Stokowski to form and conduct a New York City Symphony, which would be based in the Mecca Temple which had become New York City property due to non-payment of taxes. Leopold Stokowski announced on 19 January 1944 that he has accepted an invitation to act as unsalaried musical director of the New York City Symphony Orchestra at the invitation of New York City Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia. Auditions for the 80 positions of the new orchestra begin after the announcement. A popular symphony with very low ticket prices was attractive at that point for Stokowski. Their concerts were generally sold-out, and they made three 78pm sets with the New York City Symphony for RCA Victor: Beethoven's 6th Symphony, Richard Strauss's Death and Transfiguration, and a selection of orchestral music from Georges Bizet's Carmen. Some recording were later released under pseudonym Sutton Symphony Orchestra In 1945, he was to be succeeded by Leonard Bernstein. With the orchestra board seeking to cut expenses, and Stokowski seeking to expand the orchestra size and activity, a rupture resulted in which Stokowski resigned. Leonard Bernstein, early in his conducting career, then took over the New York City Symphony. it was Bernstein's first conducting post which he held for three seasons. Bernstein also conducted without fee, as had Stokowski.