Conducting Elgar

This is the final book in the series of advice on conducting the repertoire that Norman Del Mar had been writing until his death in February 1994. As with the previous books, each chapter is devoted to a specific work, and once again all the major orchestral works of this important composer are covered. The book culminates in a study of "The Dream of Gerontius", and it was in the middle of this chapter that Norman was forced to lay down his pen. His son, Jonathan, himself a conductor, was with him in hospital helping him, and knew what line the chapter should take. He has now completed this and seen the whole book through the press with authority and devotion. Norman Del Mar was renowned in his generation as the principal interpreter of English music and in particular for his understanding of Elgar. His explanations of the subtleties of guiding an orchestra through these magnificanet scores will be a lasting memorial to his lifework and should help all those who seek to clarify this elusive music. Elgar's own recordings are frequently drawn upon, but by no means always accepted, the changing fashions of interpretation being a constantly changing subject.