Music and Time Annotation << Back Orchestral cymbals: history, specifics of the sound and sound producing A.V. Suvorov The article deals with one of the main percussion instruments of the contemporary orchestra – orchestral cymbals. The relevance of the article lies in the fact that very few scientific and methodological works about the sound possibilities of the instrument, its evolution and role in the orchestra are published in our country and abroad at a present time. The article traces a brief history of the cymbals and their application in works of composers of various time periods, starting from the second half of the XVIII century to the current century, discusses traditional and innovative methods of sound producing on clash cymbals and suspended cymbals. In addition to the historical aspect, this work also considers the current state of instrumentation, types and kinds of instruments that are produced today by leading manufacturers. Considerable attention is paid to the sound of cymbals and to the components of it is consists: the height of a main tone, the distribution of overtones, the structure of fading of the sound. Here are the main types of strokes on clash cymbals. The article is mainly addressed to the authors of the music, composers and arrangers for using this instrument in their scores. Keywords: percussion instruments, clash cymbals, suspended cymbals, composers, sound, sound producing, manufacturers of cymbals, stroke. Contacts: E-mail: alex-suvorov@yandex.ru Pp. 03-07.