Alexander Cohen is the Principal Timpanist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. We discuss the joys of making music together, Chamberfest West, the Summer Percussion Institute (SPIN), and what it’s like playing one of the most striking instruments in the orchestra.

The music in this episode is from the Bartok Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, performed by pianists Matan Porat and Orion Weiss and percussionists Alexander Cohen and Mark Damoulakis; Thunder by Peter Eötvös, performed by Alex Cohen; and Nagoya Marimbas by Steve Reich, performed by Scott Christian and Alex Cohen. You can watch all of these full performances on Chamberfest Cleveland’s youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@ChamberFestCleveland

Find details for Chamberfest West’s 2025 festival at http://www.chamberfestwestyyc.com

Find out more at http://www.calgaryphilmusicians.ca/podcast/s1e18-alexander-cohen