Thank you for your input. It really puts things in perspective. The two conductors I know best are Essa-Pekka Salonen and Gustavo Dudamel, both of whom have been music directors and principle conductors of the L.A. Phil. They are quite different, but I like them both.
When Dudamel first arrived in L.A., everygody was excited. My first impressions were that he had tremendous enthusiasm and vigor. In comparison, Salonen seemed to have more control. As Dudamel has been with the L.A. Phil longer, I am beginning to hear the inner color he develops. When he conducted The Firebird (entire ballet), with which I was very familiar, I could really hear his control over all the instruments. He still produced a vigorous Firebird, but the tonal color and dynamic detail were also obvious to me. Because I do not play a musical instrument, and I have not studied music theory, it takes a long time for my ear to pick up on things like that. Thanks again.