Pfundt, Ernst (Gotthold Benjamin)

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Pfundt, Ernst (Gotthold Benjamin)

Pfundt, Ernst (Gotthold Benjamin), celebrated German timpanist and inventor; b. Dom–mitzsch, near Torgau, June 17, 1806; d. Leipzig, Dec. 7, 1871. He studied theology, and at the same time developed extraordinary expertise as a drummer. He was invited by Mendelssohn in 1835 to join the Gewandhaus Orch. in Leipzig, where he achieved legendary fame for his rhythmic skill. He was the inventor of the pedal kettledrums. He publ, a method for drums (1849; 3rded., enl. by H. Schmidt, 1894).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire