Soprano timpano in «Mlada» (Rimsky-Korsakov). «Mlada» is an opera-ballet by Rimsky-Korsakov written between 1899 and 1890 and premiered in 1892. It is hardly played nowadays, but the composer converted the third act into a tone poem named “A Night on Mount Triglav” which, again, is hardly played, but it is performed slightly more often (just… Continue reading Soprano timpano in “Mlada” (Rimsky-Korsakov)
Category: History
Articles dealing with the rich history of percussion instruments.
“V” for “Victory”
“V” for “Victory” In 1941, just one year and four months after the outbreak of World War 2 and still another your years ahead before it concluded (1945), the Belgian politician exiled in London Victor de Laveleye was in charge of the broadcasts for the German-occupied Belgium. While working for the BBC, he had… Continue reading “V” for “Victory”
A mistake in the tambourine part in “Trepak”
A mistake in the tambourine part in “Trepak” We are deep into “The Nutcracker” (P. I. Tchaikovsky) season. This ballet is a tremendously popular work that is played very often during Christmas. The percussion parts are great and the “Trepak” features a very funny part, which is also technical challenge, and that is why it… Continue reading A mistake in the tambourine part in “Trepak”
Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Italian” symphony
Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Italian” symphony Felix Mendelssohn wrote his Symphony No. 4 in A major, op. 90 (“Italian”) between 1832 and 1833 after a “Grand Tour” that took him to Italy between 1830 and 1831. It is the fourth symphony in his catalogue, but the third one in chronological order of composition. Again, the… Continue reading Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Italian” symphony
Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Scottish” symphony
Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Scottish” symphony Felix Mendelssohn started composing his Symphony No. 3 in A minor, op. 56 (“Scottish”) in 1829 after a trip to Scotland (which also inspired him to write the overture “The Hebrides”), but the symphony was abandoned for more than a decade and it was completed between 1841 and 1842. It… Continue reading Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Scottish” symphony
Glissando bass drum in “Momente” (K. Stockhausen)
Glissando bass drum in “Momente” (K. Stockhausen) Karlheinz Stockhausen ´s “Momente” includes a very unusual drum: “DERI glissando drum”. © Karlheinz Stockhausen DERI has not a meaning in German; it is the acronym of DEibel and RImmel, as Max Deibel and Karl Rimmel were the founders of this brand. Karl Rimmel started with a… Continue reading Glissando bass drum in “Momente” (K. Stockhausen)
In memoriam Kurt-Hans Goedicke
In memoriam Kurt-Hans Goedicke Kurt-Hans Goedicke passed away on August, 22. After graduating at the Universitat der Kunste in Berlin, he joined the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra for a brief period of time. Since 1964 until his retirement in 2000, he was the timpanist for the London Symphony Orchestra. He was, also, the Head of… Continue reading In memoriam Kurt-Hans Goedicke
Carmina Burana revealed (part 2)
“Carmina Burana” revealed (part 2). On June 24, my second article on “Carmina Burana” (this time dealing with the snare drum, tambourine and triangle parts) was published on the GROVER PRO website. You can read it HERE. I hope you enjoy it. Please stay tuned for the next articles in the series. … Continue reading Carmina Burana revealed (part 2)
The bass drum in “Symphonie Fantastique” (H. Berlioz)
The bass drum in “Symphonie Fantastique” (H. Berlioz) Berlioz´s “Symphonie Fantastique” is always a treat. I have played it on many occasions and on different instruments. Playing it again on the week of June 2-6, together with the Orquesta Sinfónica del Principado de Asturias, has been a real pleasure. This time I was on… Continue reading The bass drum in “Symphonie Fantastique” (H. Berlioz)
Timpani in “Falstaff” (G. Verdi)
Timpani in “Falstaff” (G. Verdi) Since the last couple of weeks I am in Valladolid playing a wonderful production of “Falstaff” (G. Verdi) together with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León under the baton of Óliver Díaz. As you already know, the timpani parts in Italian opera are often discussed because the “alien”… Continue reading Timpani in “Falstaff” (G. Verdi)