This dissertation, which takes the form of a creative project as is sanctioned-by the Doctor of Arts Curricular Program, is a timpani method based on the performance practices of Edward M. Metzenger, the internationally recognized timpanist and teacher.Although Metzenger's entire life has been inextricably tied to the performance and teaching of music, specifically percussion, and his musical experiences run the gamut from dance to symphonic orchestras, including radio, television, and theater, lie will perhaps best be remembered for his thirty-three years of tenure with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, thirty-one of which were as its solo timpanist.Metzenger's symphonic career is probably best viewed by an examination of the programs of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra beginning with the 1930-31 season and extending through the 1962-63 season. During these years the Chicago Symphony saw a number of permanent conductors at its helm from Frederick Stock to Fritz Reiner. Also, an extraordinary number of illustrious guest conductors and soloists worked with the orchestra during these years. (This information is presented in Appendix A; "Conductors, Associate Conductors, Soloists, and Assisting Artists of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1930-1963.")The repertoire of this orchestra, performed during the years Metzenger was the solo timpanist, is most inclusive. The list of recordings made during this same period is also extensive. A perusal of this list (recordings) can perhaps yield an estimate of the orchestra's total repertoire. (This list of recordings is presented in Appendix B; "Recordings by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1930-1963.")The foregoing, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's conductors, soloists, and recordings, is noted to substantiate the artistic climate in which Metzenger performed during his tenure with this orchestra and, consequently, the vast fund of knowledge and practical experience which are his to impart.In an effort to capture and perpetuate the essence of the timpani performance practices of Edward M. Metzenger, the author formulated a method which includes a detailed discussion of these respective practices, provided numerous exercises for their development, and applied them to selected symphonic compositions.In "Part One" of this method the various timpani performance practices of Metzenger are discussed in detail and provided with abundant exercises with explicit practice proceduresfor their development. These performance practices include: ear training; the playing position; the mallet grip (fulcrum and use of fingers); the timpani stroke; the playing areas (legato, semistaccato, and staccato); movement between adjacent and nonadjacent drums with single strokes (pushing, cross sticking, and double sticking); the timpani roll (speed, between adjacent and nonadjacent drums, tied, separated, fortissimo, piano, fortepiano, crescendo-decrescendo, metered and unmetered, and symbols); muffling (pad and hands); the glissando; and grace notes (one, two, and three).The etude approach and the use of complex rhythms which in anyway would encumber the calculated aim of each specific set of exercises are avoided and supplanted by short repetitive figures which are devised to facilitate the acquisition of each distinct skill.It is not suggested that all the exercises of each section be completely mastered before progressing to the next, but that a continuing development be noted simultaneously in all the sections. The accumulated expertise gained through growth in these separate skills can then be applied to any performance situation whether it be as a soloist or as a member of an ensemble.It would be ideal indeed to edit each selection which was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra while Metzenger was its timpanist; however, the breadth of this task is beyond the scope of this paper. In lieu of this comprehensive undertaking, in "Part Two" of this method, the timpani performance techniques required in the symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms are noted in detail. These compositions were selected because the techniques required for their execution are readily applicable to the demands of performing on the timpani in general."A Timpani Method Based on the Performance Practices of Edward M. Metzenger" can successfully be used independently as a means of developing the performer, or it can be used as ancillary material in combination with other methods, etudes, and solos to achieve this goal.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/178902 |
| Date | January 1976 |
| Creators | Mueller, Edwin C. |
| Contributors | Koriath, Kirby L. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | xii, 422 leaves : music ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
Page generated in 0.0095 seconds