Conducting Beethoven: Volume 2: Overtures, Concertos, Missa Solemnis

Del Mar is an eminent orchestral conductor with over 40 years experience. He also taught conducting at the Guildhall School of Music (1954-60) and at the Royal College of Music (1971-90). His books include A Companion to the Orchestra (Faber, 1987) and Anatomy of the Orchestra (Faber, 1981).

'these beautifully written books are to be read in conjunction with the scores: Del Mar takes the reader meitculously through the works, bar by bar ... he is completely trustworthy ... For both the student conductor and those with more experience, the books are thought-provoking, stimulating and above all illuminating. They are also extremely practical. Norman Del Mar's own wide knowledge and experience of the repertoire shines through these instructive pages. In the immediate aftermath of Norman Del Mar's death, it is hard not to read these marvellous books as part-autobiography. Thanks to the clarity of his descriptions, one can almost hear Del Mar's performances on the page. These chapters will remain as vital a musical legacy as any of his own recordings.'Jane Glover, BBC Music

• Overtures - "Prometheus" Op 43, "Coriolon" Op 62, "Leonora No 1" Op 138, "Leonora Nos 2 and 3" Op 72a, "Fidelio" Op 72b; "Egmont" Op 84, "The Ruins of Athens" Op 113, "Zu Namensfeier" Op 115, "King Stephen" Op 117, "Die Weihe des Hauses" Op 124; piano concertos - No 1 in C Op 15, No 2 in B flat Op 19, No 3 in C minor Op 37, No 4 in G Op 58, No 5 in E flat Op 73; violin concerto in D Op 61; triple concerto in C Op 56; two romances for violin and orchestra Op 40 and Op 50; Leonora's recitative and aria "Abscheulicher" from "Fidelio", act one; Missa Solemnis in D Op 123.