What is a Carillon?
Carillons are the largest musical
instruments in existence. They consist
of a chromatic series of fixed bells which
sound when struck by clappers. A set of
bells must contain at least 25 chromatically
tuned bells (2 octaves) to qualify as
a carillon. Bells have existed for centuries.
Bronze bells from the Shang Dynasty
(1520-1030 BC) have been found in
China; earthenware bells from around
2000 B C have been found in Romania,
Knossos and Crete. The development of the
carillon, as distinct from single bells or peals
of swinging bells, dates from the rise of the Low
Country towns in the 13th and 14th Centuries. The
earliest carillons were associated with clocks and
were played mechanically. About 1480 the first
true carillon to be played manually was built
in Flanders.
About the Sydney instrument
Sample sounds
The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA) offers
more information
on carillons.
