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What is a carillon? A carillon has, in contrast to the peal of a normal church, at least 23 bronze bells (2 octaves in chromatic order, but, without the lowest C-sharp und D-sharp). These bells are connected with a mechanic playing mechanism. This mechanism can best be compared to the console of an organ, but with other dimensions. The keys for the hands are round timber sticks. These sticks are arranged with a distance of about 5 cm from each other. Further the sticks are arranged in 2 vertical rows, according to the keyboard of a piano. Below the sticks there are pedal keys that are very similar to the pedals of an organ. The leftmost sticks are usually coupled with the rightmost pedals. At their backside the sticks and pedals are connected to wires. These wires lead to the bell chamber that is located in a certain height above the player. These wires therefore act as part of a traction system. At the other end, i.e. in the bell chamber, the wires are connected to a system of angles and levers. This system finally moves the clappers of the bells. The number and the total weight of the bells can vary from instrument to instrument to a high degree. The lightweightest instrument in Germany at Altenburg / Thuringia has 24 bells with a total weight of 300 kg. The instrument at Halle / Saxony-Anhalt, in contrast, has 76 bells with a total of 54.980 kg. The consoles, i.e. the mechanic playing mechanisms, usually meet a standard. Mainly there exist two different standards, one Central European and another North American. Carillons are played by the so called carillonneur who is able to perform the same artistic and musical achievement as the musician of a symphony orchestra. Carillons should not be confused with computer-controlled musical machines since the carillon allows a much higher degree of differentation compared to a machine. But, much carillons own, in addition to the mechanical traction system, an automatic installation that is able to play simple melodies.
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Last Update: January 1, 2009 |
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