Methodological Problems of Solo Timpani Pieces
Methodological Problems of Solo Timpani Pieces

Summary/Abstract: Timpani, which have been known for centuries, found their way to orchestras gradually. Over time, timpani construction and performance have gone through substantial transformation. Timpani have evolved from military drums to become an accepted solo instrument, an important percussion addition to various ensembles, and the only tuned membranophone. Centuries of technical advancement have allowed faster timpani performance and tuning, which has inspired composers to employ the instrument increasingly. Elliott Carter’s Eight Pieces for Four Timpani provide an excellent introduction to and summary of the capabilities of the instrument at the time, making use of different playing areas, diverse resonance, glissando, and mallets of varying softness. Carter could hardly imagine how significant his series would become for percussionists and composers, and how much the untapped potential of the instrument would be unlocked by the pieces, which had originally started as a study of metric modulation and were later revised and expanded to eight movements.

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