"This DVD is a welcome addition to the Erich Leinsdorf legacy. It is surprisingly exciting. It contains moments of what might pass for Viennese charm.It is useful from today’s perspective to look Leinsdorf in the eye in presentable color and experience him in good Symphony Hall sound, both supplied here. These Tchaikovsky and Beethoven performances date from 1969. They are recorded well, and the camerawork is optically normal and fairly modern." (Fanfare)

"Great things had been expected of Steinberg, who had been assistant to both Klemperer and Toscanini and was famed as an orchestra builder. It is therefore interesting to have at least one early colour video of him in action with the orchestra during his tenure, plus a guest appearance from somewhat earlier, filmed in black and white.Steinberg’s four performances of Haydn’s Symphony no.55 in 1969 are apparently the only ones the orchestra has given of this work. Unlike Munch conducting no.98 in 1960, Steinberg has a harpsichord, particularly active in the slow movement. This sounds big-band Haydn today but is slimmed-down by the light of its times. It’s all very neat, buoyant and nicely phrased.The Beethoven symphonies are resolved with swift tempi, clean textures and clear phrasing. The effect is again buoyant rather than driven. Many conductors who take the first movement of no.7 swiftly are unable to maintain proper articulation of the dotted rhythms right through. The beginning of the development is a danger point where even Reiner falters. Steinberg is one of the best I’ve heard from this point of view." (MusicWeb International)