Maastricht: Lovely Little Bells and Heavy Metal

Maastricht Bells with 250 church bells and 1500 children, the biggest hand bell concert ever.

Lovely Little Bells and Heavy Metal

Maastricht citizens with sensitive hearing beware: next week Friday hundreds of church bells and thousands of hand bells will be ringing. Maastricht bells: a huge and loud spectacle. 

The Limburger by Vickie Bartholomeus: It might sound strange, but he will be happy if he can get everyone to be quiet at the same time.That is going to be according to artistic leader Bart van Dongen of the "Intro in Situ" the biggest challenge. "If that works, I will be a very happy and proud person." Van Dongen is the director of the largest hand bell and church bell concert in Europe ever, which will take place on the Vrijthof next week. It is the opening of the jubilee year of the conservatory which will celebrate its fiftieth year.

At the same time is it a prelude to Maastricht as a Cultural Capital. Eight thousand small hand bells in rainbow colors were ordered from China, in all eight tones of the scales ladder. Approximately 1500 children will be ringing them as directed by colored flags. Simultaneously 250 church bells from 25 churches, the carillons of City Hall, the Servaas Cathedral and the private carillon in the Kleine Stokstreet will all be ringing. In addition "De Paltz’ will be placed on the Vrijthof: it is the largest mobile carillon built in a truck. Ten thousand kilos (22000lbs) of bronze bells.

"Now that’s some heavy metal," says city carillon player Frank Steijns laughingly. Conservatory students have written a composition for the Maastricht bells. A rough piece, which will be refined in place with improvisation. All the bell ringers are in contact with one another in order to stay in rhythm. 

Frank Steijn thinks it is formidable that children in this manner learn about music and cultural heritage."In earlier times, bells were the radio for the people. Just like 3FM now, previously they learned pieces like the "Vogelvanger" (Bird catcher) by Mozart from the carillon." How many decibels the Maastricht Bells will produce, he dares not to say, but the children will be issued earplugs. For security as well as an educational aspect: be careful with your hearing. "The only sad thing is that there is no place where you will be able to hear the entire composition, unless you are sailing above the city in a hot air balloon." Who knows, maybe that could still be arranged ... Thanks to John for finding this for us and Translating it.