Call for papers
The 16th congress of the World Carillon Federation will be held July 13–17, 2008, in Groningen, the Netherlands. Proposals for lectures during the upcoming congress are now invited. Subjects for lectures must be related to the carillon. The maximum allotted speaking time is 30 minutes. The proposal should consist of an outline describing the thesis and conclusion of the lecture, not to exceed one half page. The complete text of the lecture must be available two months before the congress begins. The theme of the congress is “theme with variations.” The program committee will make a selection from all entries received. Applicants will be informed about this choice before March 1, 2008. Proposals are due before January 31, 2008, and should be sent to: Adolph Rots, Rijksweg 87, 9918 PD Garrelsweer, the Netherlands; +31 (596) 57 18 23; <[email protected]>.
Live carillon webcasts from Iowa State
Iowa State University carillon concerts are now being broadcast live on the Internet. Audiences can listen to and view the recitals online. Daily 20-minute recitals are performed Monday through Friday at 11:50 am (Central Time), when class is in session. Special concerts are scheduled throughout the semester. Tin-shi Tam is the university carillonneur. Recital programs, schedule, and the webcast link are available at <http://www.music.iastate.edu/carillon>.
Kaliningrad: a third carillon for Russia
In 2001, St. Petersburg’s first carillon, with 51 bells, was installed in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The occasion was the 300th anniversary of the city, and the initiative was supported by 355 sponsors from various countries. This revived the carillon tradition that was imported into Russia by Czar Peter the Great in the 18th century after he had become so enchanted by the carillons of the Low Countries.
In 2005, St. Petersburg was blessed with a second carillon, which was hung in the Cavalry Tower in the Peterhof. The first bell bears the name of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the second bell was a gift from the Minister of Culture of the Flemish Community in Belgium.
In the meantime, a third city has become a candidate for a carillon, namely Kaliningrad, formerly known as Königsberg. Kaliningrad is not only an important seaport, but is also the birthplace of the famous philosopher Immanuel Kant. The administration of the carillon project will be handled by the Immanuel Kant Foundation, with the support of the Kaliningrad Ministry of Culture and the Royal Carillon School “Jef Denyn” of Mechelen, International Institute for the Carillon Art and Cultural Ambassador of Flanders (Belgium).
Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave that borders on the European Community. The city profiles itself as a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe, where cultural exchange and economic affairs are of great importance for promoting good relations between East and West. It is only natural that the carillon art—a quintessential form of social art—can play a role in this.
The carillon will be placed inside the beautifully restored cathedral, a rare arrangement beneath Gothic vaults. It will be a four-octave instrument with 51 bells. The intention is to create a real concert instrument that is capable of being played along with the extant organs and even with orchestra—a real first!
Sponsors are being sought to support this project. In recognition of their participation, sponsors may choose a bell, whose inscription will immortalize in bronze their name, their company/business name, or their friends or beloved. Sponsors will be sent photographs of their bell and will be invited to witness a bellfounding as well as the festive inauguration of the carillon in Kaliningrad in 2008.
Further information on the bells, their size, weight, and prices, is available from Jo Haazen, Director; Royal Carillon School “Jef Denyn”; Frederik de Merodestraat 63; 2800 Mechelen; Belgium; <[email protected]>.
Send items for “Carillon News” to Dr. Brian Swager, c/o The Diapason, 3030 W. Salt Creek Lane, Suite 201, Arlington Heights, IL 60005-5025; <[email protected]>. For information on the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America: GCNA, 37 Noel Dr., Williamsville, NY 14221; <www.gcna.org>.
