Richard Strauss: A Critical Commentary on His Life and Works, Volume 2

Norman Del Mar

Cornell University Press, 1986 - Composers - 480 pages

Norman Del Mar (1919-1994) was universally recognised as a leading authority on the music of Richard Strauss, and his masterly three-volume study of his life and works remains a classic.

Volume I deals with the years from the composer's birth (1864) to Der Rosenkavalier (1912), discussing the early orchestral and chamber music, the tone poems and the operas Guntram, Feuersnot, Salome and Elektra.

'Deploying a well-nigh encyclopaedic knowledge, Mr Del Mar acquits himself brilliantly of his task of disentangling and reassembling the numerous strands that make up the backcloth of poetry and philosophy which Strauss, while not always understanding every intricacy, yet needed as a constant reference map for his composing. The three volumes of this magnificent book should be studied by all lovers of the late-romantic music, amateurs and professionals alike...a monumental achievement.' Times Literary Supplement

'A brilliant and copiously analytical study ... a constant fascination.' Guardian

Contents

• A Theatrical Experiment: 1
• Marking Time: 104
• Die Frau ohne Schatten: 151
• Working Alone: 219
• Orchestral Miscellanea: 265
• The Collaboration Resumed: 298
• An Amalgam of Vocal Music: 352
• Swansong of a Poet: 386
• Index: 440

About the author

Norman Del Mar (1919-1994) was a distinguished British conductor, musicologist and biographer. He was recognised as a leading authority on Richard Strauss, and his major three-volume work on his life and music remains a classic. He is also remembered for his recordings of British music, in particular Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Delius and Britten.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Richard Strauss: A Critical Commentary on His Life and Works, Volume 2; Richard Strauss; Richard Strauss: A Critical Commentary on His Life and Works, Norman Del Mar, ISBN 080141783X, 9780801417832
• Author: Norman Del Mar
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Cornell University Press, 1986
• Original from: the University of California
• Digitized: Sep 25, 2010
• ISBN: 0801417813, 9780801417818
• Length: 480 pages