The Austrian-born conductor Erich Leinsdorf had a reputation among musicians for
being a hard taskmaster who demanded high standards from his players. He had an
abrasive personality which he used to enforce his meticulous attention to
detail. Although Leinsdorf may have lacked charm his ability as a conductor was
never in doubt and his services were eagerly sought after by leading orchestras,
particularly in the US.
After studying music at the Mozarteum in Salszburg and the Vienna Academy of
Music, Leinsdorf made a timely exit from Austria and took up a job in America
just m...