Stavanger  |  Norway  |  June 7, 2024

Norway's first carillon and Stavanger cathedral under restoration

Stavanger city lies in the southwestern part of Norway. Both the cathedral, the diocese and the city date back to 1125 and will celebrate 900 years next year. During years of excavations and restoration work, the cathedral has been closed, but will reopen in August 2024.

The first cathedral carillon with 22 bells from Warner Bell Foundry in England was installed in 1921. Carillonneur Harry Withers from Bournville was invited for the inauguration in January 1922. Withers was self taught, but renowned by Jef Denijn who started his carillon school in Mechelen the same year. During this century a tradition with daily carillon concerts has been alive in Stavanger most of the time.

The instrument was expanded with 15 bells in 1998 and an additional 12 bells in 2000, all from Olsen Nauen Bell Foundry. Today it contains 49 bells based on e1 (1078 kg).

Plans for a restoration were made for the carillon jubilee in 2022, but due to a closed cathedral the work had to be postponed. A new and modern keyboard from Eijsbouts has now arrived and will replace the old one. An Apollo III computer and a pneumatic system for automatic music will also be installed. Soon bell music will celebrate the first 100 years of carillon art in Norway and the 900 year jubilee for Stavanger.

Vegar Sandholt

The interior of the cathedral in Stavanger.

The new keyboard for the instrument in Stavanger.

Denmark  |  March 8, 2024

New carillons in Denmark

The new carillon for Grindsted Church in Denmark, which is expected to be ready by Easter 2024, will have 61 bells (Bb0-C1-c6). The bells, with a total bronze weight of almost 20 tons, are cast by Royal Eijsbouts in Asten (The Netherlands).

As a special feature they are tuned according to the unequal temperament "Neidthardt - Für das Dorf 1732". This tuning method was first used in 2011 at the small carillon in Vejlby Church, Allingåbro in Denmark with 27 bells, and has since been used for the carillons in Bodø Cathedral in Norway with 50 bells, Aulum Church in Denmark with 28 bells.

The keyboard is made according to the WCF 2006 standard, and there is a corresponding practice keyboard immediately next to it in the cabin. 36 bells are fitted with external magnetic hammers for automatic play.

Restoration and expansion of King Frederik IX's Carillon

Since 2019, due to an extensive corrosive attack, it has not been possible to play manually the King Frederik IX's Carillon in Løgumkloster. An extensive restoration also includes the iconic steel belfry.

At the same time, the existing number of bells of 49 bells is expanded by two octaves in the treble to a total of six octaves = 73 bells. The new keyboard is made according to the WCF 2006 Standard.

Read more on the NSCK website.