7

"As to size," Bigelow explains, "compared with the definition, a mini0
mum of two octaves of bells, the Sewanee carillon totals nearly five
octaves! This means that it is one of the largest and most important in
the world. But more important, its tone added to its great range means
that it is at the top of all tower instruments, capable of expressing
anything that the bellmaster desires."

The carillon bell was first developed by the Flemish in the 1400s, a
time when more than melody alone was desired and polyphony and
the first experiments in harmony were in evidence. The organ, and
later the harpsichord and other instruments, were being changed to
produce the music of chords as well as that of tune alone. And as in
other instruments, so in bells. For several to sound together with pleas-
ing effect, each bell had to be perfect in itself. The Flemish experi-
mented with their bells until they produced varied and concordant
harmony- and the carillon was born.

The French Revloution and its resultant economic distress stopped
carillon making until the middle of the 19th Century and then the
French were the first to return to the lost art, and since have become
leaders in the field of carillon tuning.

Foundry for the Sewanee bells was Les Fils de Georges Paccard in
High Savorie, near the French-Italian border at Annecy, France. From
it have come bells for outstanding carillons throughout the world and
the famous replicas of the Liberty Bells ordered for each state and
territory by the U.S. government in 1950 for the Independence Bond
Drive of that year. It was there Bigelow spent several weeks during