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Anatomy of the Orchestra Paperback – December 28, 1983
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length526 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherUniversity of California Press
- Publication dateDecember 28, 1983
- Dimensions6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100520050622
- ISBN-13978-0520050624
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Product details
- Publisher : University of California Press; 58061st edition (December 28, 1983)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 526 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0520050622
- ISBN-13 : 978-0520050624
- Item Weight : 1.55 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #881,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #634 in Music Encyclopedias
- #820 in Music Reference (Books)
- #1,551 in Classical Music (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2010This is by no means a beginning orchestration book. A book like "The Technique of Orchestration" by Kent Kennan should be read before attempting "Anatomy of the Orchestra." This book is almost entirely filled with in-depth, graduate level information that is difficult for an amateur to understand or retain. The chapter on 'Other Instruments' should not be entirely trusted, not because of faulty information, but due to lack of modern practicality. Simply consult someone that plays a strange instrument if you have questions.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2012This book is wonderful! No, it's not an orchestration textbook, but it's an insightful look into the orchestra, the instruments, common mistakes, and subtleties of the orchestra that you would have never have known otherwise that are both informative and often humorous. Norman del Mar knows his stuff, and I highly recommend this as one the best music texts I've read.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013This book explains everything in a very easy way. Intermediate or begginers in conducting must read it. Also i comes with with good examples.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2014Bought this as a gift for my son per his request. It was available at a great deal but do not know his thoughts on the book itself.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2002This is a well-written and thought-out text about the modern day symphony orchestra. It provides and analysis of every instrument in the orchestra, it's purposes, the sound it produces, and the possibilities. Norman Del Mar's book is a must for music students and professionals alike.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2015Great book! Well worth the price!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2015In love of this book
- Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2014:D
Top reviews from other countries
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David V.Reviewed in Mexico on December 11, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Mala calidad de edición
El contenido del libro es invaluable si quieres entender más sobre la orquesta de manera amena, pero la edición es pésima; la calidad de impresión de la cubierta es de lo más corriente con una desalineación súper evidente al momento del corte y encuadernación.
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TempfamilyReviewed in Belgium on November 1, 2023
1.0 out of 5 stars Couverture abimée
La couverture du livre est tâchée (de colle ?) et une inscription effacée est encore visible
TempfamilyCouverture abimée
Reviewed in Belgium on November 1, 2023
Images in this review
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AlfredoReviewed in Spain on July 14, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesantísimo
Norman Del Mar fue un músico sapientísimo, hoy injustamente olvidado. En este libro (escrito en 1980) repasa todos y cada uno de los instrumentos de la orquesta (incluso algunos ya en desuso), sus características sonoras, su lugar en la partitura, y la forma correcta de componer para ellos dentro de sus posibilidades y en combinación con otros instrumentos. No todos los compositores han sabido hacerlo, y Del Mar lo demuestra con docenas de ejemplos a lo largo del libro.
Una obra imprescindible para musicólogos, editores y directores de orquesta, porque pone de manifiesto las mil decisiones que hay que tomar antes de interpretar una partitura. Y un libro interesantísimo para quienes pensamos que una orquesta sinfónica representa la cima de la cultura occidental.
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Lorenzo.P.Reviewed in Italy on September 1, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Un must per direttori e compositori!
Questo libro deve essere presente nelle librerie di tutti i direttori e compositori!
Nonostante non sia un vero e proprio trattato di orchestrazione Del Mar offre un libro dove permette di conoscere l'orchestra a 360°: vengono esposti tutti i problemi (con le loro risoluzioni!) dei vari brani orchestrali, suggerimenti sulla concertazione ed analisi di moltissime partiture.
Un libro raro nel suo genere e da non farsi scappare!
- Y3NReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars as expected
love the book and it is in a reasonable price. the bible for all conductors who want to conduct orchestra
It arrived safely, although the box was a little wet, but glucklich, the book wasn't damaged