Gdańsk  |  Poland  |  April 10, 2025

The art of the carillon in Poland, a centuries-old tradition

The first carillon was placed in the Main Town Hall's tower of Gdańsk in 1561, the second in the St. Catherine's church in 1738. Unfortunately, World War II destroyed both the instruments and the city. The tradition of carillon playing was brutally stopped.

In the mid-1980s a decision was made to rebuild the carillon of St. Catherine's church. After many twists and turns, the 49-bell instrument was completed in the fall of 1998 (a 50th bell - the bourdon bell - was later added). On November 28, 1998, Gert Oldenbeuving from the Netherlands played the first carillon concert since the war. He then came regularly to Gdańsk for a number of years, leading carillon playing masterclasses, giving concerts and animating the musical life of Gdańsk. For his merits, Gert was awarded the Golden Cross of Merit by the President of Poland, and he also became an honorary member of our guild.

Gert suggested forming the Polish Carillon Association as soon as possible, to join the WCF and to organize a World Carillon Congress in Gdańsk. As early as 1999, we made the decision to form the PCA. Meanwhile, with great determination, we undertook work on the restoration of the City Hall carillon, and on December 31, 2000, Gert played the inaugural concert from the tower of the Main Town Hall on a 37-bell carillon with meantone tuning. In the following years, we ordered a third instrument - a mobile carillon with 48 bells - from bell foundry Royal Eijsbouts. Gdańsk now has three magnificent carillons!

In 2000, we started the registration of the PCA in the Polish legal system and submitted a request to the WCF to organize a congress. The congress was held in Gdańsk in July 2006, with participants coming from 25 countries. A new carillon keyboard standard was adopted. There were excursions accompanying the sessions and lectures, parties and a symphony concert led by special guest maestro Krzysztof Penderecki. President Lech Walesa also visited the participants.

Life goes on. Regular and special concerts are held. The Academy of Music in Gdańsk conducts classes in carillon playing. Gdańsk carillon music has been included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. We can look to the future of carillons with optimism.

Dr Grzegorz Szychliński, former president of Polish Carillon Association

Gdańsk  |  Poland  |  March 1, 2025

Two premieres of solo carillon compositions in Gdańsk

On the 7th of September 2024, two new premieres of solo carillon compositions were performed in Gdańsk.

The City of Gdańsk, together with Museum of Gdańsk have an ongoing project (started in 2019) of commissioning carillon pieces from the greatest Polish composers. Every year two new compositions are commissioned, performed and published by Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne (Polish Music Editions). The scores and CD are available also here.

The project resulted in 9 compositions by such composers as Elżbieta Sikora, Agata Zubel, Paweł Mykietyn and others and will be joined this year by two new ones – Ciacona by Joanna Wnuk-Nazarowa and The Gdańsk Nostalgia by Krzysztof Knittel.

City carillonist Monika Kaźmierczak performed both pieces on the 7th of September at 12 pm (Town Hall) and 3 pm (St. Catherine’s tower). Meetings with the composers were also planned before the premieres.

Five compositions are already recorded as "Contemporary Carillon" by Anaklasis, a series of Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne and available on YouTube and purchase.

Gdańsk  |  Poland  |  June 7, 2024

Gdańsk Tower Music Festival

Since 15th century there is a tradition of tower trumpeters concert in Gdańsk. The carillon has joined their concerts at least from mid-19th century. The group Tubicinatores Gedanses (Gdańsk Trumpeters) decided to revive this old tradition of playing together that was stopped by World War II.

Every Monday and Thursday from 29 July till 15 August there will be 20-minutes concerts on three Gdańsk towers, played by 4 trumpeters (natural trumpets), carillonist and drummer. The musicians are dressed in historical costumes and between the towers accompanied by a group of historical re-enactors of bourgeois and military figures from the 18th century, as well as urban shouters. Watch them on YouTube.

In addition to these events a series of educational concerts on the mobile carillon Mobillon will take place in the period 26 May till 14 July.

Gdańsk  |  Poland  |  March 8, 2024

Carillon music

Gdańsk Carillon Book is a serie of carillon music with arrangements and original compositions for carillon. 2019 and 2023 are available, also as PDF on this website. There are plans for a new edition in 2025. Katarzyna Kwiecień - Długosz has published new carillon compositions at Ars Musica publishing house.

Another ongoing project is the commissioning of carillon compositions from Polish composers. Nine compositions have already been published, a CD has been recorded, and one or two others should see the light of day during the year. Sheet music can be purchased on this website.

For more information on carillon activities in Poland, visit our website and our Facebook page.