Andy Smith, Principal Timpani - 40 Years at the Philharmonia Orchestra

In this extended feature, former Principal Timpanist Andy "Thumper" Smith, described here by a fellow player as a "defining feature of the Philharmonia sound", looks back fondly on his 40 year journey with the Philharmonia Orchestra.
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[@ugive2uganda]

It was a privilege for me and Jimmy Watson to play with you in the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra all those years ago. As an impressionable 16-yr old who had never been close up to a piano before I will always remember you playing the opening bars of the Grieg piano concerto in a small box room when we were on tour somewhere. But your timpani playing was superb even in those early days and it was obvious to everyone that you were always going to be a great professional. Congrats.

[@CarlMikaelBlomkvist]

Congratulations to Mr. Smith for that 40 years at the Orchestra, and greetings for all from Mexico :)

[@luchocardoso]

That's Great! I don't imagine how experience would have this Timpanist.

[@slateflash]

Timpanists should never hold back. There are too many instances where i just wished the timpani would be alot louder.

[@FilipusWisnumurti]

+slateflash same here......

[@sfbirdclub]

YES!@@FilipusWisnumurti

[@AlfredoMontenegroCasucci]

Muy bueno!! gracias Andy! Saludos cordiales!

[@richardwilliams473]

Being a timpanist myself, I concur with Andy s colleagues that Andy Smith was a legend !!!

[@Felix-kz6bu]

IS HE STILL ALIVE????

[@derik2nicolai584]

A real great timpanist!

[@juhyun0401]

congratulation!

[@wielkaaferanayt]

Hi!, I have a question... How much years she had Philharmonia Orchestra in year 2016? I hawe that you will repay me. Regards

[@FilipusWisnumurti]

i'm a pianist, but i want to learn timpani. is it possible to study perc and timpani in college/music school without having perc and timpani background?

[@junethanoschurchill6750]

wisnu1231 evidently, yes

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

I know this question will betray my ignorance but if it sounds better to strike a bit harder at times, then why do other players not simply strike a bit harder? Why is he better exactly?

[@melutox]

It mainly depends on the technique of the player. Also you have to consider that the composer wrote in the dynamics of the instrument into the sheet so you can't really break from that without the express permission from the conductor (which most of the times will play the piece as written by the composer with very little change) So basically, he has found a way to incorporate his technique into the music in a way where the sound is filling but not excruciatingly loud, which is the sound most composers look in a timpanist.

[@nicolaelder7941]

Zero likes well deserved