American musician and educator (born 1931)
Stanley Sprenger Leonard (born September 26, 1931[1]) is a timpanist, composer and educator. He was Principal Timpanist for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1956-1994.[2] As a solo artist, he premiered several major new works for solo timpani and orchestra with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.[3] When William Steinberg retired as Music Director of the Pittsburgh Symphony the Pittsburgh Post Gazette of May 21, 1976 quoted Steinberg in an article as saying ".....Stanley Leonard, Pittsburgh's first timpanist. He is such a fabulous figure, the number one man in the orchestra. He is not just a tympanist, he is the embodiment of tympanum playing." In 2010, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.[4]
He has composed more than 206 pieces for percussion instruments. His compositions for percussion, voice, choral, piano, violin, and handbells are listed in "An Annotated Bibliography of Percussion Works by Stanley Leonard."[5] He also wrote method books, including Pedal Technique for the Timpani.[6]
Leonard taught percussion at Carnegie Mellon University from 1958-1978, and then at Duquesne University from 1989-2001.
His music and recordings are cataloged and archived at the Sibley Music Library of the Eastman School of Music. (See External Links below).
Career timeline
1943–1949
- Studied snare drum and marimba with Vera McNary Daehlin of the Kansas City Philharmonic
1945-1950
- Performed timpani with the Independence Little Symphony
1946-1949
- Studied timpani with Ben Udell of the Kansas City Philharmonic
1948–1950
- Performed as percussionist with the Kansas City Philharmonic, Hans Schwieger, Music Director
1950–1951
- Studied timpani with Edward Metzinger of the Chicago Symphony and Northwestern University
1951-1954
- Studied percussion and timpani with William Street of the Eastman School of Music. Graduated 1954, Bachelor of Music, Performers Certificate in Percussion
1953-1954
- Performed as percussionist with the Rochester Philharmonic, Erich Leinsdorf, Music Director
1952–1954
- Charter member of Eastman Wind Ensemble, percussionist then timpanist; made first two recordings of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Frederick Fennell, Conductor
1955–1956
- Timpanist with the 19th Army Band; performed on ABC network series Soldier Parade[7] with Arlene Francis and twice on the Ed Sullivan Show
1956-1994
- Principal Timpanist Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
- Music Directors: 1956-1976 William Steinberg, 1976-1984 Andre Previn, 1985-1994 Lorin Maazel
- Made national and international tours
- Made over fifty recordings for Capitol, Columbia, Philips, Angel, Command, Everest, and Sony; one received a Grammy Award (Maazel) and one a Gramophone Award, UK, (Previn)
- Appeared in the television series on PBS: Previn and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
- Made five solo appearances:
Date
|
Composer
|
Title of composition
|
Conductor
|
1958
|
Milhaud
|
"Concerto for Percussion and Small Orchestra"
|
Steinberg
|
1964
|
Tharichen
|
"Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra" (American premier)
|
Steinberg
|
1973
|
McCulloh
|
"Symphony Concertante for Timpanist and Orchestra" (world premier)
|
Johanos
|
1981
|
Panufnik
|
"Concertino for Timpani, Percussion, and Strings" (American premier)
|
Previn
|
1984
|
Premru
|
"Celebrations" (world premier)
|
Previn
|
Discography
On the CDs Canticle, Collage, Acclamation, and Reunion, Leonard directs and performs his compositions for percussion. Retrospections features his music and music by Brett W. Dietz. All CDs are available through the Sibley Music Library. Also directly from Stanley Leonard at www.StanleyLeonard.com
- Canticle (1995) — Duquesne University Alumni Percussion Ensemble, Stanley Leonard
- Collage (2007) — Hamiruge Percussion Group Louisiana State University, Stanley Leonard
- Acclamation (2010) — Stanley Leonard, Timpani, James Cochran, Organ, Matthew Sonneborn, Trumpet
- Reunion (2012) — Tempus Fugit Percussion Ensemble, Hamiruge Percussion Group, Stanley Leonard
- Jubilate (2015) — Three Rivers Ringers Handbell Ensemble
- Retrospections (2020) — Hamiruge Percussion Group Louisiana State University, Stanley Leonard
Compositions for percussion music
Etude and method books
- Contemporary Album for Snare Drum (1986) LudwigMasters Publications
- Forty Hymns and Carols for Timpani (2002) PerMus Publications
- Four Duets for Timpani (2014) Alfred Music
- Orchestral Repertoire for the Timpani. An Introduction (1997) LudwigMasters Publications
- Pedal Technique for the Timpani (1988) LudwigMasters Publications
- Seventeen Technical Studies for Timpani (2014) Alfred Music
- The Timpani: Music and Mechanics (2000) Stanley S. Leonard
- Twelve Solo Etudes for the Advanced Timpanist (2015) Alfred Music
Unaccompanied timpani solos
- "Canticle" (1972) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Collage for Solo Timpani" (2009) C. Alan Publications
- "Danza" (2014) Bachovich Music Publications
- "Doubles" (1995) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Echoes of Seven" (2012) Mostly MarImba Music Publications
- "Echoes of Eight" (2014) Alfred Music
- "Echoes of Nine" (2002) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Flashback" (2023) C. Alan Publications
- "Forms" (1986) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Madras" (1981) Bachovich Music Publications
- "March and Scherzo" (2010) Bachovich Music Publications
- "Solo Dialogue for Four Timpani and Three Tom Toms" (1991) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Solus, with Multiple Percussion" (2000) RowLoff Productions
Timpani solo with other instruments
- "Canto for Solo Timpani and Trombone" (2004) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Canto II for Solo Timpani and French Horn" (2007) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Concertino for Timpani and Keyboard Percussion Ensemble" (1996) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Duetto Concertino for Timpani and French Horn" (1995) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Fanfare and Allegro for Solo Timpani and Trumpet" (1974) Boosey and Hawkes
- "Recitative and Scherzo for Solo Timpani and Percussion Ensemble" (2007) C. Alan Publications
- "Rhythmix for Solo Timpani and Percussion Quartet" (2015) C. Alan Publications
Timpani duos
- "Duo for Two Timpanists" (1997) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Duologue" (2012) Bachovich Publications
- "Four Duets for Timpani" (2014) Alfred Music
- "Pairs" (2001) Rowloff Productions
Timpani and organ and other instruments
- "Alleluia" (2003) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Ballad and Dance with Flute" (2013) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Celebration Hymn" (2005) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Easter Fanfare with Trumpet" (2009) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Easter Prologue with Trumpet" (2012) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Fanfare and Celebrations" (2018) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Fantasia on Luther’s Hymn" (2003) C. Alan Publications
- "Fantasia on St. Denio" (2007) Stanley S. Leonard
- "He Is Risen with Trumpet" (2005) PerMus Publications
- "Hornpipe" G. F. Handel, arranged by S. Leonard (2010) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Hymn of Joy" (2010) Stanley S. Leonard
- "In Dulci Jubilo" (2009) Stanley S. Leonard
- "O Come Emmanuel" (2005) PerMus Publications
- "Praise Ye The Lord" (2010) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Prelude" (2014) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Prelude on an Ancient Hymn with Flugelhorn" (2015) Stanley S. Leonard
- "The Rejoicing" G. F. Handel, arranged by S. Leonard (2010) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Theme and Variations" (2011) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Voluntary with Trumpet" (2003) Stanley S. Leonard
Percussion solos unaccompanied
- "Choirs" (2001) Alfred Music
- "Cascades" (2012) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Sonnet" (1978) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Ubique" (1970) Stanley S. Leonard
Percussion with other instruments
- "Collage with Flute" (1972) Stanley S. Leonard
- "On That Day with Organ" (1972) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Shadows with Keyboard Percussion Ensemble" (2006) C. Alan Publications
- "Triptych with organ, One Brass Instrument and Reader" (1970) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Will O' The Wisp with Bass Clarinet/Clarinet" (2005) Stanley S. Leonard
Two percussionists
- "Continuum" (1968) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Duales" (2014) Stanley S. Leonard.
- "Pairs" (2001) Rowloff Productions
Keyboard percussion ensemble
- "Ballade" (2018) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Four Canons" (1958) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Fanfares and Celebration (2022) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Masquerade" (Waltz)" (1974) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Mirror Canon" (1976) Boosey and Hawkes.
- "Mirrors" (2012) Mostly Marimba Publications
- "Prelude for Four Marimbas" (1972) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Processional" (1997) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Quarimba" (1995) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Rise Up O Flame" (1970) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Scherzo" (1975) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Serenade" (1997) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Two Contemporary Scenes" (1968) Stanley S. Leonard
Percussion ensemble
Three players
- "Three Spaces" (1969) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Trilogy" (2019) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Trioso" (2003) C. Alan Publications
Four players
- "Bachiana for percussion" (1974) Boosey and Hawkes
- "Cycle for Percussion" (1969) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Dance Suite" (1969) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Four to Seven" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Housemusic for Percussion" (1968) Stanley S. Leonard.
- "Kiwi" (2022) with optional fifth player Stanley S. Leonard
- "Reflections" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Telin-Ting" (1974) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Time and Space" (2019) Stanley S. Leonard
Five players
- "Beachwalk" (1997) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Circus" (1972) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Closing Piece" (1969) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Low Bridge" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Presenting Percussion" (2007) PerMus Publications
- "The Advancing Gong" (1971) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Three Rivers" (2012) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Tupinam" (2022) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Winged Chariot" (2003) C. Alan Publications
- "Word Games II" (1973) Stanley S. Leonard
Six players
- "Descant" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Danza Bamboo" (2016) C. Alan Publications
- "Four Images" (1978) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Marche" (2001) RowLoff productions
- "Promenade" (1997) LudwigMasters Publications
- "The Gathering" (2021) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Zanza" (2003) Stanley S. Leonard
Seven players
- "Heptades" (2024) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Interiors" (2017) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Journeys" (2022) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Metalliques" (2022) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Sacred Stones" (2004) C. Alan Publications
Eight players
- "Antiphonies" (2000) RowLoff Productions
- "Encounters" (2019) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Ex Machina" (2000) RowLoff productions
- "Etowah" (2020) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Fanfare, Meditation, and Dance" (1982) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Main Street" (2017) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Rituals" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Pickerington" (2022) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Six Bagatelles" (2011) C. Alan Publications
- "Stickometry"(2023) Stanley S. Leonard
Nine players
- "Dream" (2020) Stanley S. Leonard
- "Kymbalon" (2006) C. Alan Publications
- "Symphony for Percussion" (2009) RowLoff Productions.
Ten players
- "Skies" (2000) RowLoff Productions
- "Traveling Music" (2013) LudwigMasters Publications
- "Voices" (2011) Stanley S. Leonard
Eleven Players
- "Palindrome" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard
Twelve players
- "Festival Fanfare" (2001) Stanley S. Leonard
Thirteen Players
- "Drum Celebration" (2022) Alfred Music
Fourteen players
- "Hurricane" (2006) C. Alan Publications
- "Janissary Band" (2011) C. Alan Publications
- "Retrospections Fanfare" (2013) Stanley S. Leonard
Percussion ensemble with other instruments or voice
- "Good Christian Men Rejoice" (2000) Handbells RowLoff Productions
- "Winter Fantasy" (2000) Handbells Rowloff Productions
References
[8]
External links