Books by Norman Del Mar

Suitable for fellow conductors, players, students, and professional musicians, and also for those interested in the performance of orchestral music.

The first (1981) edition of Anatomy of the Orchestra, Norman Del Mar's renowned treatise and study of orchestral practice, sold out within a year of its publication.

Norman Del Mar (1919-1994) was universally recognised as a leading authority on the music of Richard Strauss, and his masterly three-volume study of his life and works remains a classic.Volume I deals with the years from the composer's birth (1864) to Der Rosenkavalier (1912), discussing the early orchestral and chamber music, the tone poems and the operas Guntram, Feuersnot, Salome and Elektra.'Deploying a well-nigh encyclopaedic knowledge, Mr Del Mar acquits himself brilliantly of his task of disentangling and reassembling the numerous strands that make up the backcloth of poetry and philosophy which Strauss, while not always understanding every intricacy, yet needed as a constant reference map for his composing. The three volumes of this magnificent book should be studied by all lovers of the late-romantic music, amateurs and professionals alike...a monumental achievement.' Times Literary Supplement'A brilliant and copiously analytical study ... a constant fascination.' Guardian

The difficulties of interpreting Berlioz are interestingly explained by a conductor of legendary knowledge and understanding. For the students of conducting this book is nothing short of invaluable, being a guide to technique as well as to the confusions arising from Berlioz's imaginative orchestration.

A collection of essays on the interpretation of more unusual concert pieces, chosen to present an imaginative programme and to use pieces by composers whose output would never make up a whole book. This compilation spans a little over 100 years from the 19th and 20th centuries.

A guide for students of the nine Beethoven symphonies and a starting point for young conductors. Del Mar offers an analysis of the music's structure, pointing out key events in the score and offering advice on how to achieve the desired effect.

The difficulties of interpreting Elgar are interestingly explained by a conductor of legendary knowledge and understanding. For the students of conducting this book is nothing short of invaluable.

After two volumes of reflections on conducting the orchestral music of Beethoven, Normal Del Mar now turns to the music of Brahms. His own interpretations, over a career of half a century, have been hailed as unusually sincere and thoughtful. As before, Del Mar's insights will be of great interest to practising musicians and lovers of these great works.

Giving his views on Beethoven's overtures, concertos and Missa Solemnis, Norman Del Mar, a professional conductor, offers analyses of the music's structure, pointing out key events in the score, and gives advice on how to achieve the desired effect.