Joseph Zettleman - Instructor for Ludwig Pedal Tympani (Chromatic) Book II
Joseph Zettleman's nearly four-decade tenure as timpanist with the Theodore Thomas Symphony—later the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—established him as one of America's most influential percussion educators and performers. From 1891 to 1930, he anchored the timpani section through the orchestra's formative years, retiring at the start of what would have been his 40th season.
Zettleman's musical versatility extended far beyond orchestral work. A skilled violinist and percussionist, he brought international experience from prominent European orchestras to American stages. His career spanned the full spectrum of professional music-making: from two seasons as snare drummer with Liberati's Band around 1890, to later engagements with the renowned Innes Band in the 1920s.
In 1920, Ludwig and Ludwig published Zettleman's revolutionary timpani collection—a work that fundamentally changed how the instrument was taught and understood. The volume combined 35 progressive etudes specifically designed for pedal timpani with 55 carefully selected orchestral excerpts from the era's most demanding repertoire.
What made Zettleman's approach groundbreaking was its emphasis on musicality over mere technique. His etudes prioritized melodic phrasing and pitch accuracy, treating the timpani as a sophisticated musical instrument rather than a rhythmic tool. This pedagogical philosophy represented a dramatic shift toward developing the timpanist's musical ear and mastery of seamless pitch changes during performance.
The orchestral excerpts Zettleman selected reflected both the contemporary concert hall and timpani's evolving role within it. Drawing from the most challenging and frequently performed works of his time, the collection featured the advanced timpani writing of Liszt, Dukas, Meyerbeer, Wagner, Dohnányi, Strauss, Sibelius, and other leading composers.
This compilation served as both practical preparation for professional players and historical documentation of timpani's expanding musical possibilities in the early 20th century.