Note the vellum heads lapped directly onto the hoops of these timpani (kettledrums) and square-headed tensioners requiring a key.

• Pictures
• Talk by the player
• The sound of the kettledrums
• History
• Technical details
• References

on stands of (2863) and (2864).

The sticks in these recordings are the performer's own leather-covered beaters and (2916) uncovered baroque-model wooden timpani beaters (probably 3rd quarter of the 20th century)

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Pictures

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Talk by the player

• about baroque kettledrums and tuning

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The sound of the kettledrums

• Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), excerpt from Symphony No. 100 "The Military" (1794), tuned in D and G, with leather-covered wooden beaters

• Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), excerpt from Symphony No. 100 "The Military" (1794), tuned in D and G, with uncovered wooden beaters

• Retuning top drum

• Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), excerpt from Symphony No. 100 "The Military" (1794), tuned in C and G, with leather-covered wooden beaters

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History

• Maker: anonymous.
• Type: Hand tuning.
• Place: Probably England.
• Date of making: Early or mid 18th century.

Specific usage history: Probably one of the instruments acquired by Sir Samuel Hellier (1736-1784) for orchestral use at Wombourne, Staffordshire.

(Shaw-Hellier Collection).

Current ownership: On loan to the Collection.

EUCHMI Acquisition numbers: (3327) and (3328)

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Technical details

• English name: 20-inch and 21-inch kettledrums.
• Type: Hand tuning.
• Shell diameters: 510, 535.
• Shell depths: 320, 355.
• Number of tension points: 8.

Technical description: Bowl of brass with three turned feet. Vellum heads lapped directly onto hoops. Square-headed tensioners requiring a key.

Inscriptions: Paper label inside shell inscribed "L.W. HUNT DRUM COMPANY LIMITED / Pair 18th Century drums, approximately 1750, constructed of brass, They have been beaten from one sheet of material, this being proved by the base of the shells being much thicker than the tops and there being no joins whatsoever in them. / At some period they have been emerged" (sic) "in a bath of copper sulphate to give the shells the appearance of being made in copper, but the drums are now, the 19th February 1965, as near the original as possible. / L.W. Hunt Drum Company Limited."

Faults: Tuning key missing.

Repair history: Refurbished 1965. Tensioners possibly reconditioned or replaced.

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References to this instrument in publications

GALPIN, F.W., HILL, A.F. et al., 1909. An Illustrated Catalogue of the Music Loan Exhibition held ... by the Worshipful Company of Musicians at Fishmongers' Hall, June and July 1904. London: Novello, p.219

HELLIER, S., 1965. A Catalogue of Musicall Instruments. Galpin Society Journal XVIII pp.5-6

HALFPENNY, E., 1971. Conservation. Galpin Society Journal XXIV pp.125-126

SIMON, J., Ed, 1985. Handel: a Celebration of his Life and Times 1685-1759. London: National Portrait Gallery, item 223; p.243

DEARLING, R., 1996. Ed., The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments. London: Carlton, frontispiece.

FREW, C., MYERS, A., 2003. Sir Samuel Hellier's "Musicall Instruments" Galpin Society Journal LVI pp.6-26; Plate 6

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© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 1999-2003, 2008.

This page updated: 29.10.08