The name Bärenreiter has been synonymous with the highest quality for as long as I can remember. The finest scholars edit the music and write always helpful introductions. The critical commentaries are often works of art in themselves. Even the physical appearance of the printed page and practical considerations (how thoughtfully placed page turns can help a performance!) are exemplary.

My cherished Bärenreiter memory is having the pleasure of conducting the ‘test-run’ of Jonathan Del Mar’s flawless new Beethoven Violin Concerto edition with soloist Bjarne Magnus Jensen and the Norwegian Academy of Music Orchestra. With the help of Detlef Hahn, Jonathan Del Mar produced a definitive version of the much-questioned solo part, and Bjarne Magnus proved by his playing that Beethoven’s controversial slurs are not only possible to play but ‘teach’ us about the composer’s original conception of the piece.

Andrew Manze
Violinist, Conductor

Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music