Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

July 31, 1919 in London, England

Death

:

1994

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Norman del Mar was a renowned British conductor, horn player, and musicologist who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on July 31, 1919, in Hampstead, London, to a family of musicians. His father, Frederick Del Mar, was a conductor, and his mother, Winifred Small, was a pianist. Norman showed an early interest in music and began playing the horn at the age of 12. Norman del Mar studied at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a student of Aubrey Brain, the famous horn player. He also studied conducting with Sir Adrian Boult and composition with Ralph Vaughan Williams. After completing his studies, he joined the London Philharmonic Orchestra as a horn player in 1941. He remained with the orchestra for 13 years and became its principal horn player in 1947. During his time with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Norman del Mar began to develop his skills as a conductor. He conducted the orchestra in several concerts and recordings, and his talent was soon recognized by other orchestras. In 1954, he was appointed the principal conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 1962. He also conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Scottish National Orchestra. Norman del Mar was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in the musicians he worked with. He was particularly skilled at interpreting the works of British composers, such as Vaughan Williams, Elgar, and Britten. He was also a champion of contemporary music and conducted the premieres of several works by British composers, including Michael Tippett and Benjamin Britten. One of the highlights of Norman del Mar's career was his performance of Elgar's Symphony No. 2 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1966. The performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and sensitivity, and it remains one of the most memorable performances of the work. He also conducted the premiere of Britten's War Requiem in 1962, which was a groundbreaking work that combined the traditional Latin Mass with the poetry of Wilfred Owen. Norman del Mar was also a respected musicologist and wrote several books on music, including a biography of Ralph Vaughan Williams and a study of the horn. He was a visiting professor at several universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Michigan. In addition to his work as a conductor and musicologist, Norman del Mar was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and his students included several prominent conductors, such as Mark Elder and Andrew Davis. Norman del Mar received several awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1974 and was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Sussex and the University of Exeter. Norman del Mar died on February 6, 1994, at the age of 74. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his writings, and the many musicians he taught and inspired. He was a true giant of classical music, and his contributions to the art form will be remembered for generations to come.

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