HISTORICAL INSTRUMENTS

Year of manufacture: 1851

double manual harpsichord

keyboard compass: 5 1/6 octaves (F₁ – g³)

lower manual: 8₁‘, 16′, lute to 16′

upper manual: 4’, 8₂‘, lute to 8₂‘

5 pedals, 2 hand-stops (for lutes)

237 cm

double manual harpsichord

keyboard compass: 5 1/6 octaves (F₁ – g³)

lower manual: 8₁‘, 16′, lute to 16′

upper manual: 4’, 8₂‘, lute to 8₂‘

5 pedals, 2 hand-stops (for lutes)

206 cm

4 octaves (C-c2)

Manufactured: 1905

This instrument was invented in France in 1886 by Auguste Mustel.  In the celesta, the hammers strike metal plates – usually steel – to produce the bell-like, magical sound. It is often used for special effects in operas, ballets, symphonies, and more.  The most familiar use of the celesta is Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker ballet.

Liturgical organ with concave/convex pedalboard