Vienna timpani

Austrian stamp 2026 from Musicland Austria series featuring Viennese timpani and musical notes, with matching special postmark.

The majestic Vienna timpani is the final instrument to be presented in the series “Austria, land of music”, which now comes to an end.

What makes the Vienna timpani distinctive is its tuning mechanism: unlike conventional timpani, which are tuned using pedals, it is tuned by means of a hand crank. In this system, it is not the drumhead but the bowl of the timpani itself that is moved. In addition, the Vienna timpani is always fitted with goatskin parchment rather than synthetic heads. It was designed by Hans Schnellar (1865–1945), a timpanist with the Vienna Philharmonic, and its construction was further developed by his successors in the orchestra. Vienna timpani are used by most of the country’s leading orchestras. The musical work associated with the Vienna timpani is Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 7, fifth movement (Rondo-Finale), which opens with a solo passage for a deep kettledrum.

Series: Austria, land of music
Value: 1.25 euros
First day of issue: 09.01.2026
Pre-issue day: 02.01.2026
First day: 1030 Vienna
Stamp size: 31.80 x 50.00 mm
Perforation measurement: 13¾ x 14
Graphic design: Kirsten Lubach
Copyright: ÖNB Wien: Mus.Hs.29134, Bl. 108r
Printing: Joh. Enschedé Stamps B. V.
Printing technique: offset printing
Quantity: 362,000 on small sheets of 10 units each
Order no.: 226020, small sheet order no.: 226710