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First play of new carillon
Published: on 23rd July 2008 by Alix Peacock in Minster News
York Minster has become the first cathedral in England to have a full carillon of bells, as twenty four bells were added to the existing eleven of the Nelson chime earlier this year. The new carillon has now been completely installed and was played properly for the first time yesterday by expert carillonneur, Trevor Workman. York now joins all the major cities of Northern Europe in having a carillon to add to the ambience of the city.
The Revd Canon Jeremy Fletcher, Canon Precentor at York Minster said: “The ringing of simple tunes has become a real feature of the Minster's life in recent years. We are delighted that we have such a remarkable carillon which will add so much to the sound of York Minster and to life of York in general"
The Carillon of thirty five bells now means that many more hymn tunes can be played to announce Evensong, as the range of the instrument has been greatly increased. On certain special occasions, tunes ranging from Beethoven to the Beatles could be heard.
The bells will be played by a carilloneur using a baton clavier sited in the ringing chamber which is below the bell chamber in the south west tower. A group of volunteers are being trained ready to play the carillon regularly before Evensong each day. They will be rehearsing on a practice clavier, which is currently being installed. The baton clavier is played by the carilloneur using both hand batons and feet pedals that look like a church organ pedal board.
The chiming of tunes on the Minster bells dates back to the building of the present cathedral’s towers in the mid 15th century. Chiming fell out of fashion during the 17th century and eventually the Minster’s chiming machine was removed in 1750. In 1989, 11 chime bells were installed above the ringing-peal in the Minster’s South West Tower, which has enabled the playing of tunes once again. With only eleven notes, the range of tunes was limited. The installation of the further twenty four bells will mean that almost any tune can be played.
If you would like to learn more about the bells of York Minster, the York Minster Society of Change Ringers are putting on several evenings which will raise money for the society.
These events will take place on Thursday 7th August, Monday 1st September and Thursday 2nd October, all starting at 7pm.
Each evening will include a talk about the Minster Bells and Bell Ringing, a demonstration of change ringing and of the newly installed carillon and the opportunity to speak to some of the change ringers themselves.
Tickets for the events cost £10 and are available from Christine Potter, Secretary of the York Minster Society of Change Ringers. Tel: 01904 627757 or e-mail: secretary@ymscr.co.uk.