This dissertation examines and critiques timpani instruction literature with a focus on timpani technique. It begins with an historical account of the origins of modern timpani. What follows is a look at the development of technique through documented timpani instruction beginning with Johann Ernst Altenburg’s treatise from 1795. Based on material examined in a literature survey of instructional texts from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, an examination of basic timpani technique and symphonic repertoire is presented in relation to discussions with four professional timpanists. Ian Bernard (Former Principal Timpanist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra), Tom Greenleaves (Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra), Brian Jones (Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and Benedickt Leithner (Deutsche Oper Berlin) all comment on timpani instruction literature, discuss ways it could be enhanced, and share their opinions on technique. Conclusions are drawn challenging the efficacy of timpani instructional literature with particular emphasis on lacunae. In a brief appendix, selected material from violin and trumpet literature is discussed in relation to timpani literature. A second appendix offers new suggestions for technical development related to orchestral timpani parts.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/31914 |
| Date | 11 January 2012 |
| Creators | Reifel, Edward Martin |
| Contributors | Hartenberger, Russell, Brownell, John |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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