Del Mar, Norman: Conducting Beethoven

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.'Del Mar modestly and successfully presents some of the issues facing a conductor in each symphony. His experience asa professional player and conductor, and his distinguished record as a teacher, ideally qualify him for the task. The quality of the book is in Del Mar's generous dissemination of his cast experience of practical music, in combination with his considerable experience as a writer ... Warnings of problems and various tips and alternatives abound, showing great professional attention to detail. His knowledge of discrepancies between various editions of scores and orchestral parts, and his understanding of the autograph scores, is invaluable. Also striking is his great sensitivity to players.' Brio, Autumn/Winter 1993, Vol. 30, No. 2