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Carillons
synonym of musical excellence
Carillons are played, not like bell peals, but in the manner of percussion instruments. At least three bells are required for producing an air (« Au clair de la lune », for example). On the other hand, if one thinks that every church has a carillon, for the true experts, one will speak about carillons only from two octaves, i.e. 24 bells, perfectly tuned, played on a wooden keyboard called a « punching keyboard ».
PACCARD Carillons
1937 – Universal Exhibition of Arts and Techniques in Paris. Savoy was represented by a traditional village, with its chapel and a carillon of 37 bells. In order to avoid its purchase by the foreigners, the Savoyards decided to buy it. A committee of « les Amis du Carillon » was created and launched a subscription in order to « offer » the carillon to the city of Chambéry.
11 septembre 1938 – Installed in the Saint-Chapelle tower of the castle of the Dukes of Savoy, the carillon was inaugurated in the presence of a considerable crowd.
1960 – On the occasion of the centenary of the annexation of Savoy to France, the city of Chambéry added three bells.
1974 – After fading somewhat from memory the carillon started again at the instigation of its bell-ringer, Mr. Jean-Pierre Vittot.
1988 – A committee for the renovation and the expansion of the Savoyard carillon was officially created. The rallying of sponsors was better than expected (1000 donors) and the committee decided to realise a completely new carillon and to extend the number of bells of the initial plan : the new carillon included now 70 bells ! The carillon of 1937 was preserved according to witness to a remarkable French know-how for its time.
20 juin 1993 – Solemn blessing of the new carillon.
1994 – The Great Carillon of Chambéry received the International Congress of the Bell-ringers. Since, it is regarded as a worldwide reference in the instrumental craftsmanship of the manual carillons.
In France
Chambéry : Yolande Tower, 70 bells
Douai : City Bell Tower, 62 bells
Dijon : Saint-Bénigne Cathedral, 56 bells
Lisieux : Basilica of the Child Jesus (1948), 48 bells
Paris : Saint-Odile Church (1949), 26 bells
Rouen : Notre-Dame Cathedral, from 56 to 64 bells since its renovation in 2015
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In USA
Illinois : Centralia, 65 bells
Michigan : Grand Rapids, 48 bells
California : Berkeley, 61 bells
Washington D.C. : Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 56 bells
New York : St Patrick Cathedral, the oldest PACCARD carillon (1897) !
A lively sculpture, a unique visual and sound concept in order to beautify, gather, commemorate.
Rising at the heart of the city, ARS SONORA encourages the meetings and the exchanges, becoming a reference point and a must-see reference, contributing to the improvement of the heritage.
Its vibrations brings in everyday life a little extra-special something…
Today, PACCARD Foundry puts its know-how at the service of municipalities by creating Musical Sculptures whose bells play their gentle melodies in the course of time and seasons.
