Orchestral Masterpieces Under the Microscope - by Jonathan Del Mar (Hardcover)

About the Book

"How does a conductor know whether the score they use is what the composer wrote? How do orchestral players know that their parts are reliable and reflect the latest scholarship? As Jonathan Del Mar reminds us in this ground-breaking book, editions of the orchestral repertoire are beset by textual problems: simple misprints, mistakes in the score or player's part, or hopelessly outdated scores at odds with current scholarship. Driven by a fundamental respect for what the composer actually wrote, Jonathan Del Mar addresses these problems through textual reports on over 100 orchestral masterpieces of classical music. Each report is introduced with essential guidance and succinct commentary on the first performance and publication of the work. Critical editions are compared with commonly used editions, and in those cases where no Urtext Edition exists, this much-needed reference work functions as a replacement for an Urtext Edition. Orchestral Masterpieces under the Microscope will be an indispensable reference tool for all who care about performances honouring the correct text that composers have left us. It serves as an essential survival guide for conductors and musicians to make informed choices, and it offers much-needed clarity on the latest scholarship for musicologists and music librarians alike "--

Book Synopsis

A must-have for any conductor, conducting student and orchestral librarian.

How does a conductor know whether the score they use is what the composer wrote? How do orchestral players know that their parts are reliable and reflect the latest scholarship? As Jonathan Del Mar reminds us in this ground-breaking book, editions of the orchestral repertoire are beset by textual problems: simple misprints, mistakes in the score or player's part, or hopelessly outdated scores at odds with current scholarship.

Driven by a fundamental respect for what the composer actually wrote, Jonathan Del Mar addresses these problems through textual reports on over 100 orchestral masterpieces of classical music. Each report is introduced with essential guidance and succinct commentary on the first performance and publication of the work. Critical editions are compared with commonly used editions, and in those cases where no Urtext Edition exists, this much-needed reference work functions as a replacement for an Urtext Edition.

Orchestral Masterpieces under the Microscope will be an indispensable reference tool for all who care about performances honouring the correct text that composers have left us. It serves as an essential survival guide for conductors and musicians to make informed choices, and it offers much-needed clarity on the latest scholarship for musicologists and music librarians alike.

Review Quotes

Belongs in any library that is in an institution supporting a symphony orchestra.-- "NOTES"

His book is an indispensable reference for all musicians.--Mary Nemet "AUSTA"

This book is probably unique in its detail and coverage of the most important composers in Western classical music and will help veteran and student musicians alike.-- "MUSIC OPINION QUARTERLY"

At last our orchestral prayers will be answered!--Sir Mark Elder

Decision making is at the heart of conducting, and in almost every major piece we work on there are a wealth of problems and conundrums to solve. Short of telephoning the composer ourselves, an option rarely available, we all need assistance. What did the composer REALLY write, and what exactly does it mean? Jonathan Del Mar has characteristically cut to the chase by compiling this treasure trove of answers to so many of those thorny questions. This book is beyond valuable: it will doubtless be on every conductor's bookshelf and countless scholars as well. Bravo!!--Sir Simon Rattle

Jonathan Del Mar is the outstanding music editor of our time. His book will be invaluable to all conductors as well as of great interest to other musicians and scholars.--David Matthews

About the Author

JONATHAN DEL MAR is a conductor and musicologist. His Beethoven editions are published by Baerenreiter and performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world.