Conducting Beethoven

by Norman Del Mar

It might be thought presumptuous to detail every thought, beat, and gesture in conducting the standard repertoire, for the art of interpretation must always, by its very nature, be a personal one. But from his lifelong experience in conducting the Beethoven symphonies Norman Del Mar is able to lead us in a discussion of them with passion and great insight. This is an essential guide for students of these great works 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. He also compares variant readings in the different editions. But his book further traces the development of Beethoven's style and that of the symphony over the twenty-four years of their composition, from the inspired yet simple First, so evocative of Haydn and Mozart, to the supreme peak of the `Choral', one of the greatest masterpieces of the symphonic form. Del Mar is thus able to speak to all devotees of Beethoven's symphonic output, and enhance our appreciation of these works.

Genres: Music

232 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 1992

About the author

Norman René Del Mar, CBE, was a British conductor, horn player, and biographer. As a conductor, he specialized in the music of late romantic composers; including Edward Elgar, Gustav Mahler, and Richard Strauss.

Reviews

[Jaemi Loeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like having a semester of lessons on each symphony!