A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Timbales

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A Dictionary of Music and Musicians
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3917133A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — TimbalesGeorge GroveVictor de Pontigny

TIMBALES is the French word for Kettle-drums. [See Drum 2; vol. i. p. 463.] In that article, at p. 464b, it is mentioned that Meyerbeer used 3 drums, G, C, and D, in No. 17 of the score of 'Robert le Diable'; but it was really written for 4 drums, in G, C, D, and E, and was so played at the Paris Académie, where it was produced. This real kettle-drum solo begins thus, and is probably a unique example of its kind:—

${ \relative c { \clef bass \time 2/4 c4\pp g8. g16 | g4 r8 e' | c[ d e c] | d d16 d d8 r | %eol1 c4 g8. g16 | g4 r8 e' | d[ c d e] | c c16 c c8 r | s_"etc." } }$

The printed score has only 3 drums, G, C, and D, to facilitate the performance in ordinary orchestras, the E being then played by the contrabasso.

[ V. de P. ]