ARNHEM / NETHERLANDS
A brief story about the Carillon and me
Morning Bells…
It all started after moving to Arnhem. Every Saturday morning, from 10 am until 11 am the official carillonneur plays the carillon bells in the tower of the Eusebiuskerk. After a couple of weekends of listening I have noticed that it was short excerpts of pieces and songs that were being played every 15 minutes, and wondered “Who is the one choosing the music? Is it the carillonneur himself or does the municipality give him the repertoire?”
The Invitation…
I decided to look up the player and write him a message, to which he gladly replied. He said he is the one choosing the pieces, and that I should write to him if I have any song or musical piece to suggest for him to play. This gave me a great idea. I asked without hesitation if he would be willing to collaborate and play some of my own music. By this time, I did not really know much about the instrument and how to write for it, but I took the challenge. Fortunately, he agreed on collaborating with me and a couple of colleagues and also suggested to give us a tour inside the church’s tower and introduce us to the carillon.
“I have this vivid memory; walking up down the narrow stairs within the church, to see the carillon being played live from the booth inside the tower, to take a look at all the bells included in the carillon, and to finally meet Arnhem’s talented official carillonneur, Bob van der Linde”
To Be Performed…
After a couple of weeks of writing and listening to the carillon, my first ever carillon piece was finished. It was performed for the first time in one of his Saturday recitals and I had the privilege to listen and watch him play live up in the booth.
It felt both unbelievable and believable at the same time. It is amazing to experience listening to your own music being performed live for the entire city to listen. That felt unbelievable. But on the other hand, it felt right. This is what I’m supposed to be doing. And I know that.
Working on…
After this experience I got hooked and decided to learn more about the instrument by taking carillon lessons as a minor for my studies with Enschede’s official carillonneur Esther Schopman.
I think this is due to me finding something unique about the instrument. It’s history, the way how the instrument works and the fact that it can be 100% mechanical, it’s variety in acoustic colors, among others. I think it is a very underrated instrument with potential. And I want to give it a chance.