Orchestral Excerpts for Timpani, by Randy Max
Rick Holmes
“Orchestral Excerpts for Timpani is a must for the student, teacher, and professional. It contains a complete inventory of excerpts and is a tremendous help with preparing for auditions. For many of the excerpts there are several options for executing the passage, allowing the player to choose what will be the most effective method under various conditions. I have also found this book very helpful for any professional to re-evaluate and solidify what can become stagnant under years of performances. Congratulations, Randy!” Rick Holmes, Principal Timpani - St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
John H. Beck
“I have heard the statement ‘too much knowledge is dangerous’; however when it comes to preparing for an audition, the more knowledge you have the more prepared you are. Randy Max has written a book that gives you not only the music but information about the variations of tempi one can expect for the excerpt, historical facts about the music, BIOs of the composers and suggestions for practicing, tuning and sticking for both American and German style timpani playing. All this and a CD that accompanies the book so the excerpts can be heard and practiced. Orchestral Excerpts for Timpani is a ‘must have’ book for the serious timpanist preparing for an audition. The 57 passages represent the most requested audition excerpts and are done in a well organized, informative and easy to read manner. Highly recommended.” John H. Beck, Professor Emeritus of Percussion Eastman School of Music Principal Timpani, Rochester Philharmonic (retired)
Stanley Leonard
“Orchestral Excerpts for Timpani is a spectacular book! Wonderfully annotated and researched with many helpful suggestions both musical and technical. It should be in every timpanist’s library. I think it may become a classic..!” Stanley Leonard, Principal Timpani Pittsburgh Symphony (retired)
Andrei Malashenko
“Your book is simply outstanding! Congratulations on what is by far the best orchestral timpani book ever written. The work and research you have put into it is clearly monumental. It has everything one could ask for and more. I find the practice tracks simply an amazing idea, and to have indicated the various tempos of recordings of each excerpt is something out of the ordinary. Also great are the explanations of how to go about playing the excerpts, and the historical content which is very unique for an excerpt book. I have already recommended this book many times and will keep on doing so.” Andrei Malashenko, Principal Timpani Montreal Symphony