Timpani tone and the interpretation of baroque and classical music - 2010

Timpani Tone and the Interpretation of Baroque and Classical Music explores the nature, production, and evolution of timpani tone and provides insights into how to interpret the music of J. S. Bach, Handel, Haydn, and Mozart. In drawing on 31 years of experience, Steven L. Schweizer focuses on the components of timpani tone and methods for producing it. In so doing, he discusses the importance of timpani bowl type; mallets; playing style; physical gestures; choice of drums; mallet grip; legato, marcato, and staccato strokes; playing different parts of the timpano head; and psychological openness to the music in effectively shaping and coloring timpani parts. In an acclaimed chapter on interpretation, Schweizer explores how timpanists can use knowledge of the composer's style, psychology, and musical intentions; phrasing and articulation; the musical score; and a conductor's gestures to effectively and convincingly play a part with emotional dynamism and power. The greater part of the book is devoted to the interpretation of Baroque and Classical orchestral and choral music. Meticulously drawing on original sources and authoritative scores from the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, Schweizer convincingly demonstrates that timpanists were capable of producing a broader range of timpani tone earlier than is normally supposed. The increase in timpani size, covered timpani mallets, and thinner timpani heads increased the quality of timpani tone; therefore, today's timpanist's need not be entirely concerned with playing with very articulate sticks. In exhaustive sections on Bach, Handel, Haydn, and Mozart, Schweizer takes the reader on an odyssey through the interpretation of their symphonic and choral music. Relying on Baroque and Classical performance practices, timpani notation, the composer's musical style, and definitive scores, he interprets timpani parts from major works of these composers. Schweizer pays particular attention to timpani tone, articulation, phrasing, and dynamic contouring: elements necessary to effectively communicate their part to listeners. Timpani Tone And The Interpretation Of Baroque And Classical Music Explores The Nature, Production, And Evolution Of Timpani Tone And Provides Insights Into How To Interpret The Music Of J.s. Bach, Handel, Haydn, And Mozart. In Drawing On 31 Years Of Experience, Steven L. Schweizer Focuses On The Components Of Timpani Tone And Methods For Producing It. In So Doing, He Discusses The Importance Of Timpani Bowl Type; Mallets; Playing Style; Physical Gestures; Choice Of Drums; Mallet Grip; Legato, Marcato, And Staccato Strokes; Playing Different Parts Of The Timpano Head; And Psychological Openness To The Music In Effectively Shaping And Coloring Timpani Parts. In An Acclaimed Chapter On Interpretation, Schweizer Explores How Timpanists Can Use Knowledge Of The Composer's Style, Psychology, And Musical Intentions; Phrasing And Articulation; The Musical Score; And A Conductor's Gestures To Effectively And Convincingly Play A Part With Emotional Dynamism And Power. The Greater Part Of The Book Is Devoted To The Interpretation Of Baroque And Classical Orchestral And Choral Music. Meticulously Drawing On Original Sources And Authoritative Scores From The Seventeenth Through Nineteenth Centuries, Schweizer Convincingly Demonstrates That Timpanists Were Capable Of Producing A Broader Range Of Timpani Tone Earlier Than Is Normally Supposed. The Increase In Timpani Size, Covered Timpani Mallets, And Thinner Timpani Heads Increased The Quality Of Timpani Tone; Therefore, Today's Timpanist's Need Not Be Entirely Concerned With Playing With Very Articulate Sticks. In Exhaustive Sections On Bach, Handel, Haydn, And Mozart, Schweizer Takes The Reader On An Odyssey Through The Interpretation Of Their Symphonic And Choral Music.--pub. Desc. Theory And Practice Of Timpani Tone Production -- Musical Interpretation And The Timpanist -- Interpretation Of Baroque Music -- Interpretation Of Classical Music. Steven L. Schweizer. Includes Bibliographical References, Discography And Index. Contents......Page 12 Symbols and Markings......Page 14 About the Companion Web Site......Page 16 1 Theory and Practice of Timpani Tone Production......Page 20 2 Musical Interpretation and the Timpanist......Page 52 3 Interpretation of Baroque Music......Page 78 4 Interpretation of Classical Music......Page 112 Appendix: Discography......Page 186 Notes......Page 190 References and Resources......Page 196 B......Page 206 D......Page 207 M......Page 208 T......Page 209 Y......Page 210 In Timpani Tone and the Interpretation of Baroque and Classical Music, Steven L. Schweizer draws on 31 years of musical experience to explore the components of timpani tone and methods for producing it. Schweizer takes the reader on an odyssey through the interpretation of Bach, Handel, Haydn, and Mozart's symphonic and choral music.