Meticulous down to the smallest detail. Jonathan Del Mar turns 75
English musicologist and conductor Jonathan Del Mar turns 75. His Beethoven editions opened a new chapter in the service of musical practice.
Jonathan Del Mar’s international reputation as an editor began with a bang: his edition of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Published by Bärenreiter in early 1997, it was soon followed by the remaining eight symphonies. Since then, countless world-renowned conductors have chosen these editions, trusting the expertise and uncompromising precision of the English musicologist and orchestra conductor, for whom nothing short of absolute accuracy is acceptable.
After completing the symphonies, Del Mar turned to Beethoven’s concertos, string quartets and piano sonatas, all of which he edited in editions that have since become benchmarks.
In the film “Searching for the True Beethoven. Bärenreiter Urtext Editions” Jonathan Del Mar offers fascinating insights into his working process and explains how his editions help musicians such as Sir Simon Rattle, Igor Levit and the Pierrot Quartet perform Beethoven’s music as the composer intended. The musicians themselves also share their experiences with his work.
In addition to Beethoven, Del Mar has also edited works by Antonín Dvořák, Edward Elgar, and others for Bärenreiter. He turns 75 on January 7.
