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Author Schweizer, Steven L. (Steven Laurence), 1948-

Title Timpani tone and the interpretation of baroque and classical music / Steven L. Schweizer.

Imprint Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2010.

Copies

Location Call No. OPAC Message Status
 Axe 2nd Floor Stacks  786.93 Sch97t 2010    ---  Available
Description ix, 193 p. : ill., music ; 24 cm.
Bibliography Includes discography (p. 169-171), bibliographical references (p. 179-188), and index.
Contents Theory and practice of timpani tone production -- Musical interpretation and the timpanist -- Interpretation of Baroque music -- Interpretation of classical music.
Summary "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.
Subject Timpani -- Acoustics.
Timpani -- Construction.
Timpani music -- 17th century -- Interpretation (Phrasing, dynamics, etc.)
Timpani music -- 18th century -- Interpretation (Phrasing, dynamics, etc.)
ISBN 9780195395556 (hardback : acid-free paper)
0195395557 (hardback : acid-free paper)
9780195395563 (pbk. : acid-free paper)
0195395565 (pbk. : acid-free paper)

 
    
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