Timpani Essay

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A Brief Account of the Timpani, its Place in History, and Joseph Haydn’s use of the Instrument in his Paukenmesse The timpani have historically been the most popular and commonly used percussion instrument in the history of percussion instruments. They have been around for centuries and have adapted quite a bit throughout the years, leaving many unable to recognize the instrument in its earliest form. Nonetheless, it serves as a staple for all musical ensembles from orchestra and concert band to percussion ensemble and solo work. Using Haydn’s Paukenmesse as an example, this paper will examine the development of the timpani and its role in music of the Classical period. The timpani have many different names branching from different countries: English: Kettledrums (plural), Kettledrum (singular) German: Pauken (plural), Pauke (singular) Italian: Timpani (plural), Timpano (singular) Latin: Tympani (plural), Tympano (singular) Spanish: Timbales (plural) Timbale (singular) French: Timbales (plural), Timbale (singular) The timpani (before they were given this name) originated from the Dong Son culture located in modern-day northern Vietnam around 300 B.C. It was called the Moon of Pejeng or the Pejeng Moon. According to Balinese legend, it was the wheel of the chariot that pulled the moon through the night sky. Legend says that while passing over Pejeng, the chariot lost its silver wheel and it fell to Earth and landed in a tree. It was preserved as a sacred artifact by locals and is now kept at the Pura Penataran Asih Temple in Pejeng. The timpani (as we recognize them) were first used in Eastern Europe during the 15th century for military music. Here, they were referred to as a naker. In 1457, a Hungarian ambassador was sent from King Ladislaus V to King Charles VII in France in which the drums were mounted on horseback. At this time, they

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