Felix Weingartner and Erich Leinsdorf were among the most respected orchestral conductors of the first and second halves of the twentieth century, respectively. They were particularly noted for their concern with the Viennese Classical composers, above all Beethoven. Jon Ceander Mitchell has done all conductors a great service by bringing this volume to fruition. The annotations from this set of scores are at once a wonderful window into the past and provide a thought provoking challenge for contemporary performers. They have been transcribed here with considerable care and clarity. Dr. Mitchell"s insightful comments in the introductory material display his usual attention to details both of the material at hand and its historical context. Most important, this book prompts modern conductors to revisit the ideas of two of the greatest musical statesmen of a past generation, ideas that have recently been neglected in the effort to pursue an often elusive authenticity.