[Time to read, 3 minutes. Time for videos, 8 minutes]
Good evening, my friends!
This week’s content for listening and appreciating the music of the orchestra comes from an angle very few people get to see.
The title, “Just Beat It ! ?” is a pun but also a meaningful tease.
Did you ever think that the timpani, or commonly called kettle drum, might have more to it that just beating the drum?
I have two videos for you to watch, both are short.
Let’s examine the music of Mozart. Mozart was the most divine, sublime composer ever in history. No composer has ever accomplished achieving writing music for the symphony orchestra that had the most distinctive, angelic quality of sound. How he was able to capture the sounds and harmonies he did, very few can speak of.
With this video, listen to the introductory measures of Mozart’s Symphony No. 38. The performance by the Mahler Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Battle, is glorious. Just listen to the very first 4 minutes. That’s all! (Listen to it twice if you dare! The music is angelic!)
Now watch this video of David Herbert of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra talk about what it takes for the timpanist to play that 4 minutes of music.
FYI, only the Chicago Symphony has published videos of principal players doing orchestral excepts. That is one of the reasons Iove this orchestra!
Now it is time for me to beat it. Enjoy what I’ve shared!
Blessings,
Ben