Percussionist Arnold F. Riedhammer
Arnold F. Riedhammer, principal percussionist for the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra since 1974, needs little help drumming up support for his engaging new CD, Percussion Goes Pop. The fascinating crossover album, a 15-song compilation of rock, pop, blues and Latin songs, employs instruments traditionally heard in classical music — among others, the glockenspiel, timpani, vibraphone and xylophone. Riedhammer has not only recorded with such major conductors as Leonard Bernstein, James Levine and Zubin Mehta, but has also performed with the likes of Wayne Newton, Liberace, Donna Summer, Liza Minelli and Queen. If you relish rhythm, beat feet to your local music store, where Percussion Goes Pop has been selling like hotcakes since late June. <<<