A timpani piece with a "difference!" The first two movements exploit traditional timpani techniques in a musical fashion, with the emphasis on sensitive ensemble playing with the pianist. In the third movement, 'Fandango', both pianist and timpanist add sections of hand clapping and flamenco-style heel stomping. A real crowd-pleaser!

"Donnerkreis" means "thunder circle" in German, a most appropriate title, since the eight timpanists (each playing single timpani) surround the audience. What a finale this would make to a percussion ensemble concert!

'Four Grotesques for Timpani' expands the range of sound produced by four timpani (playing with four marimba mallets, playing on cymbals and crotales inverted on the drums) in music that is rhythmically challenging and melodically interesting.

Formerly published under the title "Timpani Tuning & Etudes," the book has been renamed for publication by Studio 4 Music because we felt the old title was misleading. The etudes do challenge the advancing timpanist's tuning skills, but they include so much more -rhythmic, technical and, above all, musical challenges.

An exciting, semi-programmatic work, "Scenes from an Ancient Battle" amply displays the timpanist's technical skills, including damping, cross sticking and independence of the two hands. Control of the extremes of the timpani's dynamic range is a must for this piece. Great choice for a contest, jury or recital!

The four-movement work is a significant addition to the solo timpani repertoire, destined to take its place among the standards.

'The Storm' is for four timpani and suspended cymbal, which is, at times, placed on one of the timpani. The outer sections are in a driving 5/8, with a slow cadenza-like middle section for contrast. Great contest or audition solo for a developing timpanist!

A dramatic portrayal of an incident from the legend of Jason and the Argonauts, Symplegades is a highly effective composition. The use of different striking areas of the timpani, as well as of various sticks and mallets, extends the timbral colors of the instrument. Requires power, control, subtlety and finesse!

Premiered by Roland Kohloff, principal timpanist of the New York Philharmonic. These fun pieces are easy to read with clearly notated articulations, stickings, crossings, and tuning changes.