Timpani

The NQHO’s traditional hand-tuned timpani are of the pot type with taps at their rim to alter the pitch. All drums are fitted with animal skin, as was usual before the heat of TV lights encouraged the use of plastic out of pure convenience. The character of the sound and the volume are very different to the modern timpani.

Cymbals and Percussion

The Cymbals are between 12 and 15 inches across, far smaller than present types and with a shorter, sharper sound than is the case today. The photograph shows the comparison with the modern cymbal.

The other percussion instruments are also of great vintage and again are smaller than their modern replacements, with drier and less obtrusive sounds.

It is said that the only instrument in the orchestra not to have changed since 1900 is the triangle!

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