A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Side-Drum

by Victor de Pontigny

SIDE-DRUM. This is used in the army to mark the time in marching, either with or without fifes; also for various calls and signals. [See Signals.] Modern composers often use it in the theatre, and even occasionally in orchestral music. Instances will be found in the march in Beethoven's 'Egmont' music; in Spohr's 'Weihe der Töne' Symphony; in Raffs 'Lenore,' and in the 'Marche au supplice' of Berlioz's 'Symphonic fantastique.' Rossini has employed it in the 'Gazza ladra' overture, where it is said to indicate the presence of soldiers in the piece; in that to the 'Siege of Corinth,' in the accompaniment to Marcello's psalm-tune—which in the score is oddly designated as a 'Marche lugubre grecque.' [Drum 3.]

[ V. de P. ]