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. Del Mar (1919-1994), a distinguished conductor and musicologist, was recognised as one of the greatest authorities on the orchestra in his lifetime. Written not only for fellow conductors, players, students, and professional musicians, Anatomy of the Orchestra is also for everyone interested in the performance of orchestral music. 'It's tremendous fun just reading from cover to cover... The chapter on horns doesn't fail to embrace water-emptying, or the perils of seating them in front of percussion - vibrations shoot up backward-turned bells and shiver the players' lips; and who needs be any longer at a loss for a term for any type of snare drum in any of four languages?' Tempo

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"

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'A brilliant and copiously analytical study ... a constant fascination.' "Guardian"

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 II spans the years 1912 to 1933 (the premiere of Arabella), taking in the Ariadne versions, Die Frau ohne Schatten, the ballets and much incidental music. '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

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 Three spans from 1934 to Strauss's death in 1949, taking in the last five operas, the late instrumental music, all the songs from early youth to the Vier letzte Lieder, and concluding with eight appendixes of works, dates and opus numbers, and a meticulous index. '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 final book in Norman Del Mar's `Conducting...' series. This study of a collection of shorter orchestral pieces by composers whose output would not make a whole book is full of expert advice and broad-minded appreciation of a wide range of music. Easily readable by conducting student or music-lover, it is equally an invaluable handbook for the expert. Once again, the book has been edited and seen through the press by Jonathan Del Mar, son of the late Norman Del Mar.

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.

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.

Before his death in 1994, Norman Del Mar was acknowledged as one of the world's foremost authorities on the orchestra. "Anatomy of the Orchestra" is written not only for fellow conductors, players, students, and professional musicians, but also for everyone interested in the performance of orchestral music.

With two volumes of reflections on conducting the orchestral music of Beethoven already published, Norman Del Mar now embarks on the wider repertoire, beginning with Brahms, whose output forms the backbone of serious music study and concert programmes. Del Mar's own interpretations of Brahms have been hailed as sincere and thoughtful, and it is these attributes, together with Del Mar's strong sense of the music's architecture, which will be of value to interpreters. Del Mar writes on the four Symphonies, the Concertos, the Haydn Variations, and the Overtures and Serenades, offering descriptions of conducting styles and thoughts on orchestral bowing and rehearsal psychology. The book concludes by examining the background and text of a major choral work, this time the German Requiem.

Following on from his reflections on conducting the nine Beethoven symphonies, Del Mar now gives his views on the remainder of Beethoven's orchestral output. He offers analyses of the music's structure, pointing out key events in the score, and gives advice on how to achieve the desired effect. Drawing on a lifetime's experience of conducting, these reflections are an essential starting-point for young conducters.

This is an essential guide for students of the nine Beethoven symphonies and a starting-point for young conductors. Drawing on his lifelong experience of conducting these works, 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. He also compares variant readings in the different editions and further traces the development of Beethoven's style and that of the symphony over the 24 years of their composition.

Hermann Scherchan was a distinguished German conductor, described by Norman Del Mar as a `great doyen conductor of contemporary music'.

Before his death in 1994, Norman Del Mar was acknowledged as one of the world's foremost authorities on the orchestra. "Anatomy of the Orchestra" is written not only for fellow conductors, players, students, and professional musicians, but also for everyone interested in the performance of orchestral music.