Timpani in the Classical Period | The Evolution of the Timpani: Part 3

Our Principal Timpani Adrian Bending takes us on a deep dive into Timpani in the Classical period, when composers started using Timpani regularly in their pieces requiring new levels of technique, precision and sensitivity.

0:00 Intro
0:44 Timpani in the Baroque Period
1:34 Independence
2:48 Dynamics
3:49 Retuning
6:04 The drums
7:18 Retuning in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte
9:52 Sticks
10:51 Solos
12:29 Technique
13:55 The problem when playing in the dominant key
16:34 Motif
18:25 Drama - Paukenmass
20:44 Outro - Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3

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[turpialito]

A single upvote is not enough for a video of this quality and erudition. The OAE is one of the Internet's finest jewels.

[rasmusn.e.m]

The much-awaited sequel :D This is fantastic.

[roberttower]

That opening overhead shot of the timpanis in the nautilus shape took my breath away! Wow!

[johannesbowman]

Thank you so much for the sequel! I can't wait for Part 4: Romantic timpani

[antoinepetrov]

Always a great joy to see a new post from the OAE

[Lou_fromthe_Soo]

As a self-taught amateur timpanist, I've really wanted to learn more about the history and development of the art. I really want to learn more about pedal timpani and when they were invented. Thank you for such an in depth account.

[aarongrooves]

Great video! As an orchestral percussionist who never experienced tuning actual kettle drums, I've always been curious to see it done in real time.

A few more thoughts:
- The D at 15:00 (bar 2 of the system) is the 7th of a V7 chord. Or in figured bass, a V42. So it is possible to get all three chords from just two tones. I'm now audiating the end of Beethoven's 5th with the tympani on Fs instead of Gs, and it's different but it works,
- Regarding modern percussionists or conductors adding more tympani to cover missing roots, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, those composers were working within their limits and composing accordingly, so those missing roots are certainly intentional and part of the music. On the other hand, the composers would certainly have used those tympani if they had been available. So I fully support adding those roots back in, especially when its obvious that it was due to a technical limitation. But that opens the door to all kinds of other modifications, including on other instruments. If classical composers had access to modern brass, they may have written in completely different keys; so is it reasonable to transpose entire movements? I don't know.

Anyway, thanks for fun video. I can imagine how much work it took!

[catycatmeow]

Natural Selection at work for timpani. Thanks, Darwin!

[andrewtaylor]

What a fantastic video. So well done. Thank you Adrian and the OAE!

[mewsdo]

This is really interesting! Many thanks...

[georgeharteman]

Thank you for this great video. I never realised that the history of the instrument was so connected to the classical period.

[dixonqwerty]

Oh man, christmas came early this year!!

[BiggerThanFrogs]

Incredibly interesting series! I've learnt so much, and will be listening to music with a new appreciation because of it. Thanks for sharing, and looking forward to more.

[michaeljhintonpiano]

This is simply wonderful. My teacher Saul Goodman would have loved it. Thank you.

[Apfelstrudl]

What a great and informative style of presentation!

[grahamnancledra]

Wonderful and both educational and extremely interesting and a great follow up to the two previous parts.
I do have to say that I was hoping you'd discuss the role of the timpani in the first movement of the Beethoven Violin Concerto, especially with the cadenza he wrote for the Violin and Timpani and how the soloist would work with the timpanist during rehearsals and so on. Never mind, perhaps a special some time? Anyhow, Thank you Thank Thank You. Highly enjoyable and I'll watch a few times.

[ThomasDawkins]

That moment in the Beethoven 3rd concerto is so important, and some pianists "pre-echo" it by playing G-C-G-C in the bass under the final trills before the timpani come back in. Rubinstein, for one!

[shiningarmor]

19:42 It's very cool to see gels (these look like name brand Moongels) on something other than a drumset.

[kathyschreiner]

Fascinating explanation of the technical and scholarly aspects of playing the timpani. Thanks.

[michaelsikorasikoramds]

Seems I'm always searching for "...clever ways to avoid noisy accidents...." 😜