Review in “Percussive Notes”
The Journal of the Percussive Arts Society
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In the year 2000 a timpani wave was started by Jim Brown, Principal Timpanist of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra and composer Russell Peck. I am speaking of “Harmonic Rhythm,” a concerto for timpani and orchestra performed by 39 orchestras.
The concerto opens with a crescendoed low-D roll, which leads into a massive statement by the orchestra, setting the stage for what is to follow – much like a curtain opening for a play. There are four sections to the composition: Section I is melodic and centers around the development of the melodic material. Section II is quite rhythmic and climaxes in a technical display of three-mallet playing. Section III is slow and uses such effects as dead strokes, brushes and wood mallets. Section IV returns to a more rapid rhythmic display with a brief harmonic quasi cadenza that leads to a dramatic ending.