A Cymbal Tale

Writer, comedian and rock drummer Andrew McGibbon, aka Andrew Paresi, tells the story of a 175-year-old cymbal and explores the history of the instrument. He traces the earliest cymbals from ancient Assyria and China, their development by Avedis Zildjian in Turkish military bands, to their arrival in Europe in the 1670s and their unlimited deployment by modern orchestral composers and jazz musicians. Andrew also discovers why cymbals became so popular in the 1960s and today form part of every rock drummer's kit. Featuring contributions from British Museum archeomusicologist Richard Dumbrill, Heather Corbett, chief percussionist with the Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and John Keeble from Spandau Ballet. The show also includes interviews with manufacturers and metallurgists who help to unravel the intriguing delights of this evocative, iconic idiophone.