Willmarth-Capture of the U-505-4T

Capture of the U-505 by John Willmarth is a programmatic timpani solo influenced by Wagner's use of Leitmotif: a musical device in which a character, place, or idea is depicted through a musical theme. Throughout the piece the top two drums represent the American Naval forces and the bottom drums the German U-boat, the U-505. The piece is comprised of four sections: The U-boat, The Chase, The Battle, and The Capture.