2026Vienna Timpani - Set

The majestic Vienna timpani is the final instrument to be presented in the series “Austria, land of music”, which now comes to an end. What makes the Vienna timpani distinctive is its tuning mechanism: unlike conventional timpani, which are tuned using pedals, it is tuned by means of a hand crank. In this system, it is not the drumhead but the bowl of the timpani itself that is moved. In addition, the Vienna timpani is always fitted with goatskin parchment rather than synthetic heads. It was designed by Hans Schnellar (1865–1945), a timpanist with the Vienna Philharmonic, and its construction was further developed by his successors in the orchestra. Vienna timpani are used by most of the country’s leading orchestras. The musical work associated with the Vienna timpani is Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No.7, fifth movement (Rondo-Finale), which opens with a solo passage for a deep kettledrum.