FAQ
What’s a Carillon?
This is the most frequently asked question. The carillon is the largest
and heaviest musical instrument in the world. It is defined as an
instrument of 23 or more cast bronze bells, played from a keyboard. For
the more formal definition: www.gcna.org.
Why the mask?
Originally, Cast in Bronze was a musical act of live musicians that
rose from obscurity to the stage of Walt Disney World’s Epcot in a few
years. Frank DellaPenna, the creator of Cast in Bronze, had always
considered the possibility of performing as a silent and masked
musician. His reasoning: carillons are usually heard from bell towers
and no one ever sees the performer. However, when he mentioned this
idea to others, they all told him he was crazy!
During those years at Epcot, DellaPenna played without the mask
and costume. However, when the contract at Epcot concluded, Cast in
Bronze found itself without work and searching for other venues.
DellaPenna, unsure if Cast in Bronze would survive, agreed to
perform at the Florida Renaissance Festival before returning to his
home. Having nothing to lose and trusting his instinct, he donned the
costume and mask for the first time at this festival. Audiences were
drawn to this mysterious musical presentation and Cast in Bronze found
work for the rest of the year! Perhaps the mask wasn’t so foolish after
all.
DellaPenna has willingly relinquished his identity to the
“Spirit of the Bells” for the good of the carillon and Cast in Bronze.
It is his hope that others will continue his mission to raise
appreciation and awareness of this rare instrument so the carillon and
the “Spirit of the Bells” will live forever.
When was Cast in Bronze created and why?
Cast in Bronze was the first musical act in the world to feature the
carillon. Frank DellaPenna created Cast in Bronze in 1991 as an
experiment to see if people would accept the haunting sound of the
carillon combined with other instruments. Through the encouragement and
support of thousands of fans, Cast in Bronze slowly evolved into what
it is today.
Where are carillons located?
There are more than 500 carillons in existence. For the official
directory of carillons in the world contact: www.gcna.org.
How many bells?
The carillon of Cast in Bronze contains 35 bells, (C4-C7). The
weight of the entire instrument is just over 4 tons. The bells were
cast by the Petit and Fritsen Bell Foundry in Aarle-Rixtel, The
Netherlands in 1980.
What are the names on the bells?
The bells were originally cast for the John Hall family of
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The eight largest bells are named after
the eight children of John Hall.
Where does one learn to play the carillon?
There are three carillon schools in Europe located in: Mechelen,
Belgium, Amersfoort, The Netherlands and Tourcoing, France. There are
also a number of universities in the United States that also offer
courses in carillon study. www.gcna.org.
How old is the carillon?
The exact date is unknown, but historians estimate that the carillon
was created about 500 years ago as a folk instrument.
How can Cast in Bronze be performing at two places at the
same time?
I am pleased to announce that another Traveling Carillon has arrived
in the United States, enabling me to duplicate my show with other
carillonneurs, thereby sharing the music with more listeners.
LINKS
Click here
to learn more about the Washington Memorial carillon in Valley Forge,
PA.