timpani
/ˈtɪmpəni
/(also tympani)
plural noun
Kettledrums, especially when played by one musician in an orchestra.Concertos for the timpani or kettledrums, the big boys of the orchestra, are certainly unusual but not entirely neglected....
- It therefore follows the example of Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano in being scored for an accompanying wind ensemble plus double bass and timpani rather than orchestra.
- The sound is still aggressive, but it's more orchestrated, so the other two musicians just play timpani and a couple songs with just drums and guitar, respectively.
Derivatives
timpanist
/ noun ...- During the long introduction of the Finale, the timpanist is required to re-tune his instrument for the key change that follows.
- I could have easily been a concert percussionist and made a sweet living being lead timpanist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
- Only serious timpanists with outstanding intonation skills should attempt Batigne's Duplex.
Origin
Late 19th century: from Italian, plural of timpano 'kettledrum', from Latin tympanum 'drum' (see tympanum).