Customer Reviews

Virtuoso Timpani Concertos

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I purchased this CD on a whim because of the fun thought of hearing timpani as a solo instrument. You know, the sort of CD you anticipate listening to just once, except to share with others as a sort of joke?

But the CD has been a real delight with a lot of listenable music.

The opening and closing pieces are by Georg Druschetzky (apparently a famous timpanist of his time). Both are of a typical classical-period style with enjoyable melodies - especially the "Concerto per sei timpani", which even my fifteen year-old daughter agreed was "kinda catchy".

Of course the most fun comes during the various cadenzas (cadenzi?) throughout the CD, where you just grin at the whole idea. But again it comes off well.

My favorite tracks are #16 (Bouree), and #18 (Gigue), both of a baroque Sinfonia by a guy named Johann Chistroph Graupner. These are engaging dances by any standard. I found myself wondering if the Bouree was inspiration for some Wild West type Hollywood music? Surely this repertoire doesn't get out much -grin.

The orchestra, soloist, and recording all struck my ears of good quality as well. But the real joy was from hearing and enjoying a new ensemble. If that sort of thing excites you, you won't be disappointed by this CD.

The timpani pieces presented on this CD belong more to the novelty works category than anything else. If you take out the timpani part, all sound like nameless classical music you may hear in an elevator or when put on hold. The timpani usually just double whatever the orchestra is playing. (No wonder Beethoven is credited as being the first guy who actually freed timpani from simply doubling or accomplanying and gave the instrument its own nondispensable role in orchestral works.)

The biggest problem with listening to this CD is, you can get tired pretty quickly from all that booming from the timpani. It's like all of a sudden you get a sinus congestion. So I'd advise listening to one work at a time, with plenty of break between the pieces.

The timpanist, A. Peter, does a very fine job, but the Dresden chamber orchestra feels disinterested and bored most of the time. Of course, I probably can't really blame the musicians because, for the most part, the music is pretty boring. The virtuoso timpani passages add colors and excitement, but at the end of the day, this is something I can't fall in love with.

but, rather, a well-done and entertaining CD which is good listening while reading a book. It'll likely not replicate anything in your musical library.