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I enjoy composing for the carillon as (there is) a likelihood my music — Carillon

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"I enjoy composing for the carillon as (there is) a likelihood my music will be played. Whereas with music composed for an orchestra, the likelihood is slim."
Carillon
Carillon
Carillon
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A carillon ( KARR-ə-lon, kə-RIL-yən) is a pitched percussion instrument that is played with a keyboard and consists of at least 23 bells. The bells are cast in bronze, hung in fixed suspension, and tuned in chromatic order so that they can be sounded harmoniously together. They are struck with clappers connected to a keyboard of wooden batons played with the hands and pedals played with the feet.

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"It would be impossible to do anything with the carillon unless one had had a good background in piano, organ, and theory, and were able to transpose readily. I am convinced that one is as important as the other. The piano is essential for general foundation, for reading, touch, dynamics, and for interpretation; the organ for coordination between hands and feet; theory (harmony, counterpoint, solfege, at least) for arrangements. There is no other instrument of which I know that requires as much preparation for study as does the carillon."
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"Ones first impression of a carillon recital is apt to be rather an odd one, with some question as to whether or not the bells are truly musical instruments, capable of artistic expression. This, I feel, is due largely to the fact that bells possess very prominent overtones, which sometimes clash since there is no method in use of "damping" to stop the vibrations when the harmony changes. Also, to the unaccustomed ear, some of the bells seem to sound out of tune. However, after listening repeatedly to the carillon, one not only becomes accustomed to the overtones and "clash", but begins to appreciate its real beauty, which seems to me to rest in its magnificence, its stately dignity, and above all, its clear, ringing tone. Especially striking is the richness of some of the lower bells, as well as the almost "singing" quality of the small, upper ones when struck repeatedly."
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