Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II officially opened Canberra’s National Carillon in 1970? If you didn’t, now you do.
The National Capital Authority (NCA) said the carillon was gifted to the City of Canberra from the British Government to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the founding of the National Capital of Australia (Canberra). Canberra was founded in 1913.
At a height of 50 metres, the structure towers above Lake Burley Griffin at Queen Elizabeth II Island (formerly Aspen Island).
It incorporates 57 bronze bells of varying octaves, with each bell weighing between seven kilograms and six tonnes.
The structure is lit at night and the sound of the bells (when in use) drifts across the lake and through Kings and Commonwealth Parks.
The NCA said carillonists played the suspended stationary bells from a keyboard of wooden batons and pedals, called a clavier.
“A system of individual cables and wire linkages draws soft iron clappers onto the bells as each wooden baton or pedal is struck by the carillonist,” a statement by the NCA said.
“A separate automated mechanical system of operation allows the quarter-hour striking of the Westminster chimes.”
The NCA said the National Carillon could be played during concerts alongside other instruments throughout the year.
“All styles of music are represented, from compositions especially written for the carillon to popular song arrangements and improvisation,” it said.
“It is often used to celebrate special occasions and in conjunction with other events.”
When the then-Queen opened the carillon on 26 April 1970, carillonist and composer John Douglas Gordon played the inaugural recital.
The Queen was joined on the trip by her husband, The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, and their only daughter, Princess Anne.
The NCA said the tower was the prize-winning design of Western Australian architects Cameron, Chisholm and Nicol.
“The design of the tower comprises of three angular columns clad in quartz and opal chip,” the NCA said.
“Each shaft is a triangle in plan, and each is aligned with one of the three sides of a central equilateral triangle.
“Each of the shafts serves a different function: the highest contains a passenger lift, the next a steel staircase, and the lowest is a service shaft.”
The NCA said the first floor is approximately halfway up the tower and contains the chamber for the clavier that operates the bells, along with space for other musicians to perform alongside the carillon and facilities for the carillonist.
It said there was also a small viewing area, called Chimes, at 36 metres above ground.
The chimes of the bells cannot currently be heard, but a spokesman from the Parkes-based National Capital Exhibition said most of the instrumental improvements and repairs at the site were complete.
The spokesman said while access to the island remains open, a date for the recommencement of tours in the tower and the use of the carillon was yet to be determined.
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