History of the Viennese Timpani

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

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Richard Strauss was also inspired by these instruments. He mentions them amongst others appreciatively in his revision of the "Grand Traité d' instrumentation et d'Orchestration " by Hector Berlioz.

 
Richard Strauss  at a rehearsal with the Vienna Philharmonic.
Concertmaster: Willi Boskovsky.

However, due to the requirement to retune the instrument quickly the works of Strauss were also suitable for the technology of the pedal timpani. Nevertheless all his works can be played with Viennese Timpani.  In order to prove this, Schnellar rearranged a passage of the „Symphonia Domestica“.

Photo of the original notes of „Symphonia Domestica“ by Schnellar
(Click to hear sound sample)

Schnellar played this thematically enlarged version on the occasion of the festival concert of the 60-th birthday to the composer. The enthused Richard Strauss sanctioned this change which has found its way into literature.



Richard Strauss (1864-1949) on his 80th birthday
Photo: Gustav Schuster

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