Interview : conducted by Oliver Daniel, Jun. 13, 1978.

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Thorbecke, Sonya Stokowski, interviewee.

Contributor:

Daniel, Oliver, interviewer.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Polk, Maria H. Dehon, approximately 1857-1941.

Polk, Maria H. Dehon.

Samaroff Stokowski, Olga, 1882-1948.

Samaroff Stokowski, Olga.

Sorel, Claudette, 1932-1999.

Sorel, Claudette.

Genre:

Interviews.

Oral histories (literary works)

Sound recordings.

Transcripts.

Physical Description:

2 audiocassettes : analog

2 sound tape reels : analog, 7 1/2 ips, 2 tracks, NAB standard ; 10 1/2 in., 1/4 in. tape

digital ; 4 3/4 in.

52 leaves

Contained In:

Oliver Daniel Research Collection on Leopold Stokowski. Folder 890; Box 52, CD 045, 046.

Place of Publication:

Jun. 13, 1978.

Summary:

Sonya Stokowski Thorbecke discusses her parents' divorce when she was one year old, living part time with each parent, Stokowski's remarriage to Evangeline Johnson, her younger sisters Sadja and Lyuba, her education, her training in dance with Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey, and her career in the theatre. She talks extensively about her mother, Olga Samaroff Stokowski, and her mother's career, mentioning Paul Nordoff, Ernest Schelling, Edward Bok, Curtis Bok, and Claudette Sorel. She remembers Maria Dehon Polk ("Bonnie"), Eugene List, and Rosalyn Tureck.

Sonya discusses her Catholic upbringing and her father's family background; her mother's story of Stokowski's conducting debut in Paris; her father's interest in health foods; her relationship with her father and brothers Stan and Chris when Stokowski reached 90 years of age; his work schedule and studying musical scores in his 90s.

Notes:

Recorded on June 13, 1978 at Thorbecke's home in Pennsylvania.

Original copy: cassette tapes 37 and 44; preservation copies: two 10 1/2 in. reel to reel tapes 45 and 55; service copy: two compact disks CD 045 and 046. Preservation and service copies recorded October and November 2000.