The beginnings and development of a New Zealand music: The life ...

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In the closing bars of movement II of Symphony No.2, the timpani
can be found unifying the rhythms of the brass section with the rhythms
of the string and woodwind sections, by combining both rhythms within
the single line (see Ex.25).
However, despite the growing independence of the timpani line,
Lilburn does not neglect the conventional timpani role of adding weight
to climaxes and doubling the pitches and rhythms of the bass instruments.
The timpani is still used in this capacity in the first two symphonies,
but more sparingly than in the early overtures'.