This book contains three
timpani solos with piano accompaniment written by David Hext, as well as
five unaccompanied timpani pieces by Keith Bartlett.
Keith's pieces are for Grades
1-5 of the exam syllabus of the Trinity School of Music in London,
England, while David's pieces are for Grades 6-8.
The Grade 6 piece is
"Mischievous March" which is for three timpani and does not feature any
tuning changes. The mischievous element to the piece is provided by the
occasional 5/4 bar and the piano accompaniment featuring some
syncopation, whilst the piece still maintains a steady march feel.
The Grade 7 piece is "Trinity
Variations" which is also for three timpani and features some tuning
changes. It is a short set of variations based on an A minor arpeggio
theme.
The Grade 8 piece is
"Dialogues" which is also for three timpani and features a good number
of tuning changes. It takes the form of a conversation between the
timpani and piano, with various "call-and-answer" phrases, and features
an extensive cadenza.
The book also includes a number
of exercises to assist in the preparation of the pieces and also eight
unaccompanied studies by Jackie Kendle.