About cast in bronze
Cast in Bronze was created to share the beauty and versatility of the carillon with listeners. Cast in Bronze was created in 1991 by Frank DellaPenna, graduate of the French Carillon School in Tourcoing, France.
Cast in Bronze has performed at Walt Disney World’s Epcot from 1998-2003, for the Mass of Pope John Paul II in Central Park, NY in 1995, with Alice Cooper at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix an at numerous music and renaissance festivals throughout the US. The music of Cast in Bronze has been performed on national TV and radio.
Cast in Bronze has been invited to perform for both Pope John Paul II and the Presidential Inauguration, and has performed at Walt Disney World’s Epcot in Orland, Florida 1998 - 2003 for the Christmas season. The music of Cast in Bronze has also been heard on the radio, at music and Renaissance Festivals, and on television—including a special Christmas eve performance on the NBC “Today” show, and at Alice Cooper’s 2004 “Christmas Pudding” benefit concert.
The carillons of Cast in Bronze consist of 35 bells, and have a total weight of four tons each. Cast in Bronze is the only musical act of its kind in the world, and features the only two carillons in history supported by listeners.
CARILLON HISTORY
Five centuries ago, a musical instrument of cast bronze bells was created and became known as the carillon. It is played from a modified keyboard with the fists and feet. Located in lofty bell towers throughout the world, the instrument and its player were hidden from sight, making the carillon one of the world’s best kept secrets.
The carillon was created about five centuries ago in Flanders (an area of Northern Europe now occupied by the Netherlands, Belgium and Northern France). Its purpose was to provide a musical voice to bell towers in order to raise the spirits of the residents.
The bells (23 or more) are hung in a stationary manner and the clappers are connected to a mechanical keyboard played with fists and feet. Carillon playing requires musical dexterity, strength and endurance. Cast in Bronze is the first transportable carillon in the U. S. and the only full-time musical act in the world which features the carillon.
In the mid 1960s, 35 bells were placed on a mobile carillon frame by a Dutch bell foundry and sent to America. For the first time in history, the rarely-seen European artists of carillon playing could be brought to audiences. This carillon was purchased in 1991 by a gentleman who choses to remain anonymous, and was given new life by Frank DellaPenna—a Master-Carillonneur graduate of the French Carillon School. DellaPenna’s life-long dream of sharing the beauty of the carillon by combining it with other musical instruments could finally be accomplished.
Today, many carillons have fallen into disrepair or are simply no longer played due to lack of funding or interest.
Those carillons that can still be heard are all funded by government agencies, institutions, or through an endowment fund provided by generous benefactors.
Cast in Bronze is the only musical act in history utilizing the carillon that sustains itself solely by live performances and recording sales. It receives no financial assistance from any other source.
The creator of Cast in Bronze hopes that his one-man crusade will preserve an instrument and an art form for generations.