Test – Etude pour quatre timbales by Benoit Cambreling

Test – Étude pour quatre timbales by Benoît Cambreling is a rigorous and rewarding solo composition crafted for advanced-level timpanists seeking to challenge their technical and interpretive skills. Published by Alfonce Production, this work was originally selected as the compulsory piece for the first round of the Solo Timpani Competition organized by the Orchestre National de Lyon in June 2016. It has since become a reference point for serious timpani students and professionals preparing for high-level auditions and recitals.

Test – Étude pour quatre timbales by Benoît Cambreling is a bold and demanding solo work for advanced timpanists. Published by Alfonce Production, this étude was written as the required piece for the 2016 Solo Timpani Competition hosted by the Orchestre National de Lyon. Since then, it has gained recognition as a benchmark for serious audition and recital preparation.

Scored for four timpani, the piece pushes performers to demonstrate control, accuracy, and musicality. Cambreling uses a blend of rhythmic drive, expressive phrasing, and tuning shifts to create a technically rich and emotionally engaging study. The work highlights a wide range of techniques—articulation, dynamic nuance, and precise pedaling—while also demanding interpretative confidence from the performer.

The piece opens with bold, rhythmically sharp motifs that set the tone for its energetic character. As the music progresses, it introduces lyrical phrases that contrast with earlier tension, giving players space to shape their expression. The middle section slows and softens, testing the performer’s ability to sustain tension and tune gracefully. A dramatic and rhythmically complex ending brings the piece to a powerful close.

Benoît Cambreling, a former solo timpanist with the Orchestre National de Lyon and a respected teacher, brings decades of orchestral and solo expertise into this composition. His writing challenges the player’s technical limits while staying deeply musical and structured. It’s not just a study—it’s a performance piece that connects with audiences through its emotional intensity and clear form.

• Instrumentation: 4 Timpani
• Number of Players: 1
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Publisher: Alfonce Production
• Product Code: A47003P

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Test – Étude pour quatre timbales by Benoît Cambreling offers a serious challenge for experienced timpanists. It balances technical difficulty with musical depth, making it a standout addition to any professional repertoire.