Beethoven's Timpani Notation: A Gateway to the Past
Adam M. Groh♦
Dr. Michael Bump, Faculty Mentor
Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the world's most revered composers. The contributions that he made in many musical genres are unquestionable, but perhaps one of Beethoven's lesser known talents was his ability to create innovative and challenging timpani parts. His Symphony No. 5 is no exception, as it presents many examples of innovative timpani writing. Through the study of this piece, the modern timpanist is able to gain insight into the historical development of their instrument, as well as use their investigation to make educated decisions related to performance practice and interpretation in the modern day.
Keywords: Timpani, Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, performance practice
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 39-1
Location: OP 2117
Time: 1:15