New book of Davidsfonds:‘Magie in de lucht. 500 jaar beiaardmuziek in de Lage Landen.’

“Singing bronze. 500 years of carillon music in the Low Countries”.

Because of the 500^th anniversary of the carillon a new book about the history of the carillon will be published in April 2010. The author of the book is Luc Rombouts and it will be published by the “Davidsfonds”.

Just as the carillon evokes varying mind moods  the history of the carillon is a story full of swings: the reader enters into a world of triumph and decline, joy and disappointment, jealousy and friendship. You can read this story in the book “Singing bronze”.

The 500th anniversary of the carillon gives  us the opportunity to look back into its history but also to look ahead to its function  in our future society.

Today’s society is a multicultural one. Nevertheless after 500 years, the carillon has only spread  into the Western world, and even more specifically mainly in Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States of America. Moreover, the music that is played on the carillon can be mainly stated as ”western”  without considering the fact that our society is multicultural. As an “instrument for everyone” the carillon should do better than this.

Together with allochthonous associations the carillonneurs of Leuven will try to find a new carillon repertoire in which many cultural groups can recognize themselves. It might be a shocking idea for some people that they will hear African rhythms or Indonesian melodies on Flemish carillons. However this can lead to enriching experiences.

Our people can get acquainted with other musical forms of expression and allochthonous people get the message that they are welcome in our society. In this way the carillon can contribute to the transformation of the multicultural society of today into the intercultural society of tomorrow and can after 500 years develop from a western ethnic instrument into a global instrument .

The project “ Fusion on Bells” will be realized in co-operation with  the Patrimonial Cell Leuven, The Council of Integration of Leuven, Resonant, Campanae Lovanienses and the University Library of Leuven. You can come and listen to the first results of this co-operation on 25^th April 2010 during the Patrimonial day and also during the summer concerts “Fusion on Bells” will be heard. If the financial situation allows it a compilation of musical scores will be issued and offered to all the carillonneurs in the world. This compilation will anchor the creative work of the previous months and will be the lasting proof of the contribution of Leuven to the celebration of 500 years of carillon.

New compositions

Geert D’Hollander has written the composition for the day of the carillon (Saturday 19^th June 2010). That day this composition will be performed at 14.00  on virtually all carillons of the Low Countries. The composition is called Bell Canto and lasts for 5 minutes. This composition is perfectly possible to be performed on any type of carillon. There are different versions: carillon solo (mid-tone, three octaves, 47 bells) and a version for carillon and brass instruments (2 trumpets, 1 horn, 1 trombone and 1 tuba) This composition was inspired by 3 popular songs from the Low Countries about carillons and bells. You can download this composition from the menu ‘navigation’ on this site.

Also Marcel Siebers has written a composition in which carillon and brass instruments can be combined. It is called Brass band 5-0-0 and lasts for 3 minutes. Also this composition can be performed on a three-octave carillon and is also suitable for a mid-tone carillon. A combination with 2 or 3 trumpets and 1 trombone is also possible. The composition is based on the theme 500, musical translated...  Moreover it contains a free harmonisation of a hymn that dates back to 1520.

Both compositions can be downloaded from the menu ‘navigation’ on this site. Please do so! 

Compagnie Aardbei has developed a theatershow for children: "Rocky het klokkie". The play this show in theaters with the mobile carillon of Frank Steijns.

Rocky is a very small bell in a very big carillon. He doesn't really know his place. Is he really a carillon-bell? Is he a bell? Maybe just a doorbell... In this show he travels the world looking for answers.

Try-out on Thursday 4 march 2010 at 14 pm, in Dommelhof theatre in Neerpelt, Belgium

Première on Sunday 9 May 2010 in Oudenaarde

During four lectures (together with Free Time University from the ‘Davidsfonds’) the story of the origin, flourishing, fall and revival of carillon music is told. This is a piece of music history that took place in the Netherlands before the carillon was rediscovered in the 20^th century by the international community. The carillon is typical for the low countrys, the bell is universal. The bell has been a source of inspiration for stories, sagas and poetry. The second part of this cycle takes us into the magical world of the bell. The lectures will be given by Luc Rombouts and Carl Van Eyndhoven.

http://www.davidsfonds.be/uvt/

The committee “500 years of carillon” is composed of members of carillon institutions of the Low Countries in which the roots of the carillon lay. Nowadays the carillon culture has become international.

Therefore the committee aims at celebrating this anniversary on a global scale. That’s why we contacted other associations in the world of the carillon. We also support the instrument where needed. The 500^th anniversary can work as a stimulus for countries in which it is less well-known or even completely unknown.

If you start an international project, please contact us, you can count on our support.