Did you know that in Gdańsk you can hear melodies that have accompanied the inhabitants of this historic city for centuries? The Gdańsk carillons, present since 1561, are the only instruments of this type in Poland, and their sounds constantly create a musical background for the life of the city.
What exactly are these majestic bells and why do they attract music lovers from all over the world? See how tradition meets modernity in the heart of Gdańsk culture.
What are the Gdansk Carillions?
In the very heart of Gdańsk , a city rich in history and culture, few people know that there is a real treasure - the Gdańsk carillons .
These extraordinary instruments, present since 1561, are the only ones of their kind in Poland and have accompanied its inhabitants for almost half a thousand years. Their presence makes Gdańsk a unique place on the musical map of the country.
Carillons in Gdańsk are not only melodies floating over the city, but above all a symbol of cultural heritage. Their uniqueness has been appreciated by being entered on the National List of Cultural Heritage , which emphasizes their uniqueness and importance.
Gdańsk is the only city in Poland with active concert carillons , which attracts music lovers from all over the world. When going to Gdańsk, you absolutely have to hear it.
These majestic instruments, consisting of at least 23 tower bells, are unique on the Polish music scene.
Their sounds enrich the daily lives of residents and provide a musical background for numerous cultural events and festivals in Gdańsk. Thanks to them, the city pulsates with music, and each note carries history and tradition reaching back hundreds of years.
Gdansk Carillon Festival: Annual Symphony of Sounds
Every year, when the sun dominates the sky, Gdańsk becomes a musical arena. In the summer, an event takes place that attracts music lovers from all over the world – the Gdańsk Carillon Festival .
In 2024, from July 19 to August 31, the city will come alive again to the rhythm of the 26th edition of this extraordinary festival.
Organised by the Gdańsk Museum, the annual carillon music festival takes place in the towers of St. Catherine's Church and the Main Town Hall.
The festival is an opportunity for artists from Poland and abroad to showcase their skills and delight audiences with unforgettable concerts.
You can follow them live and online on Facebook Carillons Gdańsk – Museum of Gdańsk . This is a great moment to immerse yourself in sounds that have been an inseparable element of the Gdańsk soundscape for centuries.
Carillon Festival: Echo of Gdańsk's History and Culture
The first Gdańsk Carillon Festival took place on 21-23 August 1999. Since then, it has become one of the symbols of Gdańsk carillon culture, whose roots date back to 1561.
The festival not only celebrates carillon music, but also highlights its importance as an integral part of the cultural heritage of Gdańsk.
Other Concerts and Artist Performances: Carillon Music All Year Round
In Gdańsk, carillon music is not limited to the festival. Throughout the year, on Fridays at 11:00 a.m., the carillon of St. Catherine's Church and during the day every hour on the carillon of the Main Town Hall , weekly concerts are held.
During the festival, the repertoire is even richer, with guitars, accordions, flutes and trumpets, making each concert a unique experience.
Automatic melodies played on the carillon of the Main Town Hall just before striking the hours:
8:00 – Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1972) – If I Were the Morning Sun from the opera Halka (arr. K. Cieślik)
9:00 – Johann Ephraim Eggert (1728-1803) – arrangement of the chorale Wachet auf, ruf uns die Stimme (Rise, let them call you)
10:00 – Balletto Polacho from Gdańsk lute tablature (1st half of the 17th century) (arr. W. Maciak)
11:00 – Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849) – The Wish (24. Chopin The Wish) (arr. M. Kaźmierczak)
12:00 – Johann Balthasar Christian Freisslich (1687-1764) – Jauchzet, Danzig (Rejoice, Gdańsk) (ed. M. Kaźmierczak)
After 12:00 – Rota (arr. A. Samul), Kashubian Hymn
1:00 p.m. – trad. Laura and Filon (arr. K. Cieślik)
14:00 – Rex from the Tablature of Jan of Lublin (ca. 1540)
15:00 – Johann Ephraim Eggert (1728-1803) – arrangement of the chorale Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (Praised be You, Jesus Christ)
16:00 – Balletto Polacho (30) from Gdańsk lute tablature (1st half of the 17th century) (arr. W. Maciak)
5:00 p.m. – composing hour (variable) – Krzysztof Jurczak
18:00 -Johann Sebastian Bach – Prelude I (Ave Maria)
After 6:00 PM – Gaude Mater Polonia (arr. W. Maciak)
19:00 – Johann Ephraim Eggert (1728-1803) – arrangement of the chorale Befiehl du deine Wege (Rule your own paths)
20:00 – Chorea from the Oliwa Tablature (ca. 1619) (arr. M. Kaźmierczak)
21:00 – Johann Ephraim Eggert (1728-1803) – arrangement of the chorale Ein feste Burg (A mighty castle is our God)
The carillon in the tower of St. Catherine's Church in Gdańsk plays regularly every Friday at 11:00. And on Sundays and holidays also at 17:00.
In addition, it can often be heard during special events and concerts, such as the Gdańsk Carillon Festival.
Three Gdansk Carillons
Gdańsk, a city with a rich musical history, boasts three extraordinary carillons . These majestic instruments, which have accompanied the inhabitants for almost half a thousand years, are unique in Poland.
They are located on the tower of the Main Town Hall , the tower of St. Catherine's Church and in a mobile form as the 'Gdańsk' carillon. Each of them plays a key role in shaping the cultural face of the city, adding unique notes to its sonic identity.
Carillon of the Main Town Hall: Melody of the Tower
The carillon of the Main Town Hall is a real gem among musical instruments. It consists of 37 bells that fill the city space with a unique atmosphere. The first carillon, with 14 bells, appeared on the tower in 1561.
The instrument, created in 2000 at the Royal Eijsbouts Foundry in Asten, is the venue for many festival concerts, including the Gdańsk Carillon Festival. On the town hall tower, you can experience sounds that have been an integral part of the Gdańsk soundscape for centuries.
St. Catherine's Church Carillon: A Pearl in Sound
The carillon of St. Catherine's Church is another musical treasure of Gdańsk. It consists of 50 bells that create harmonious melodies that echo throughout the city. The first carillon, with 35 bells, was installed in 1739.
The carillon, installed in 1989, is the venue for many festival concerts, including the Gdańsk Carillon Festival.
The sounds of the carillon of St. Catherine's Church are an inseparable element of the Gdańsk landscape , attracting both residents and tourists.
Mobile Carillon 'Gdańsk': Symphony on Wheels
The 'Gdańsk' mobile carillon is a unique instrument consisting of 48 bells mounted on a car trailer.
Thanks to its mobility, it takes part in festival concerts, enabling performances in various locations in the city.
Made by the Eijsbouts bell foundry from Asten in 2008, the 'Gdańsk' mobile carillon is a perfect example of combining tradition with modernity.
Its sounds can be heard in various parts of the city, making it a unique element of the Gdańsk musical landscape.
Gdańsk Museum: Guardian of the Tradition Related to Carillons
The Gdańsk Museum is not only the guardian, but also the caretaker of the Gdańsk carillons. The museum passionately cares for these unique instruments, organizing various concerts and events that attract both local residents and visiting tourists.
He takes care of the preservation of these sonic pearls, but also enthusiastically promotes their presence in the pulsating cultural life of the city.
Concerts and Events: Live Music
Gdańsk offers its residents and tourists unforgettable Summer Carillon Concerts. These exceptional musical meetings take place every Friday until the end of August, at 7:00 p.m., on the carillon of St. Catherine's Church. But that's not the end of the musical attractions!
Throughout the year, every Friday at 11:00 a.m. you can hear the sounds of the carillon coming from the tower of St. Catherine's Church.
On Saturdays precisely at 12:05 , the sounds of the carillon resonate from the Main Town Hall.
These regular concerts are a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the sounds that have been an integral part of the Gdańsk soundscape for centuries.
Harmony of Sounds and Water: Hevelius' Fountain
Can you imagine how music and water together create a unique spectacle? This is the magic that takes place during the Gdańsk Carillon Festival, where the carillon melodies are synchronized with the Heweliusz Fountain.
This extraordinary tourist attraction in Gdansk transforms into a stage for an unusual combination of sounds and visual effects, providing viewers with an unforgettable experience.
The Heweliusz Fountain , situated slightly on the edge of the old town, is not just a place to relax. During the festival, it becomes an integral part of the concerts, and the sounds of the carillon blend harmoniously with the rhythmic streams of water.
It is a performance that attracts both Gdańsk residents and tourists, emphasizing the uniqueness of Gdańsk's carillon culture.
Syncing the songs with the fountain is a challenge, but the end result is worth every effort. Gdańsk offers more than just music – it is a true experience for all the senses.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend this event, don't miss the chance to experience how sounds and water create a magical symphony .
People and Groups Who Shape the Contemporary Carillon Stage
Gdańsk, with its rich carillon tradition, owes its current status to the involvement of many people and groups. One of the key entities is the Polish Carillon Association.
Since 2003, as a member of the World Carillon Federation, the association has been actively supporting the development of carillon culture in Gdańsk and promoting initiatives at local and international level.
Monika Kaźmierczak: The Driving Force of the Gdańsk Carillon Stage
Monika Kaźmierczak is the person responsible for the magical sound of carillons in Gdańsk. This talented carillonneur is the true spiritus movens of carillon-related events in the city.
As the main organizer and performer of concerts during the Gdańsk Carillon Festival, Monika creates unforgettable musical experiences and inspires others to discover the fascinating world of this instrument.
Tubicinatores Gedanenses: Continuers of the Tower Trumpet Tradition
It is impossible to talk about the Gdańsk carillons without mentioning the Tubicinatores Gedanenses. This group of tower trumpeters from Gdańsk is an integral part of the carillon concerts, giving them a unique character.
Their performances during festival concerts combine tradition with modernity, enriching the sound landscape of the city.
The Greatest Creators of Carillon Melodies: Great Composers and Their Works
Carillons, these monumental musical giants, have always attracted leading composers from different eras. Among them are such figures as:
Jacob van Eyck
Matthias Van den Gheyn
Joannes Franciscus Volckerick
Their work has had a significant impact on the shape of carillon music. Contemporary compositions for carillons are also created by:
Samuel Barber
Edward Elgar
Avant-garde pioneers like John Cage and George Crumb
It is also worth mentioning Polish composers who contributed to the development of this unique musical form with their work. They include:
Alexander Nowak
Paul Mykietyn
Elizabeth Sikora
Agnieszka Stulginska
Katarzyna Kwiecień-Długosz
Zygmunt Krauze
Agata Zubel
Their works enrich the repertoire of carillon concerts, introducing new tones and emotions.
Agnieszka Stulgińska: Melodies of the Festival
Agnieszka Stulgińska, a valued composer, is one of the key artists whose works are regularly performed during the Gdańsk Carillon Festival.
Her compositions are often selected for carillon concerts in Gdańsk, which proves their popularity and recognition among music lovers.
Festival concerts featuring her compositions attract both local residents and tourists who want to experience the unique sounds of the carillon.
Gert Oldenbeuving: Influence from Abroad
Dutch carillonneur Gert Oldenbeuving is another figure who deserves recognition for his contribution to the Gdańsk Carillon Festival. His performances at the festival are evidence of the international nature of the event.
Oldenbeuving, known for his mastery of the carillon, attracts the attention of listeners from all over the world, enriching the festival with new, inspiring interpretations.
What are the future prospects for the Gdańsk Carillons?
Gdańsk, as the only Polish centre with active concert carillons, is constantly developing its musical identity. So what are the future prospects for these impressive instruments?
It turns out that the melodies of the Gdańsk carillons are no longer limited to traditional playing. Thanks to automation, new horizons of their application are opening up.
Modern technologies allow for the generation of short melodies using a mechanical drum with pegs or a computer. This innovative approach not only facilitates the daily operation of carillons, but also allows for the creation of more complex and diverse compositions.
As a result, the sounds of the carillons can be adapted to different circumstances and events, making them an even more integral element of the cultural landscape of Gdańsk.
The introduction of new technologies and innovative solutions can attract younger generations to discover the charm of these instruments.
As a result, we will often hear carillons playing not only classical melodies, but also contemporary hits that will surprise and enchant listeners.
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