Conducting Beethoven
2 total works
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 24 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.
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 24 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.
Conducting Beethoven: Volume 2: Overtures, Concertos, Missa Solemnis
by Norman Del Mar
Published 2 September 1993
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.