Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

Spring Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > April 1997 > 1997.04.22 > 05Prev  Next


The Term "Celeste"
By Richard Vance

In Mr. Jan Kijlstra's fine article about the voicing of Dutch organs,
he has, quite inadvertently I'm sure, created a nomenclature problem
which may cause confusion or misunderstanding in American readers.

In American practice, the word 'celest' refers to two ranks of pipes
(or reeds) tuned slightly apart, so that the resultant beat produces a
wavering or tremolo effect.  He mentions this device several times, and
how it can be used to good effect in organ music.

However, elsewhere in the article, he defines 'celeste' as a narrow-scaled
violin pipe (gamba or salicional), tuned straight and played in the
melody.  This threw me off until I got to the end of the text.

Richard Vance

 [ I searched for an explanation of Celest/Celeste in the book,
 [ "Dictionary of Musical Terms", written in 1895.  It says simply,
 [ "An organ stop producing a sweet, veiled tone."  There is no mention
 [ of the "keyboard glockenspiel" celeste, either.
 [
 [ Organbuilder Frederic Keller, a protege' of Carl Frei, uses "Celeste"
 [ and "Bourdon" interchangeably in his writing.  Accordions also have a
 [ "Celeste" stop of de-tuned double reeds.


(Message sent Sun 20 Apr 1997, 12:53:01 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  Celeste, Term

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page