Bell - a dome-shaped percussion instrument with a tongue inside. The sound from the bell comes when the tongue hits the walls of the instrument. There are also bells that do not have a tongue; they are struck from above with a special hammer or block. The material from which the instrument is made is mainly bronze, but in our time bells are often made of glass, silver and even cast iron. The bell is an ancient musical instrument. The first bell appeared in China in the 23rd century BC. It was very small in size and riveted from iron. A little later, in China they decided to create an instrument that would contain several dozen bells of different sizes and diameters. This instrument was distinguished by its multifaceted sound and color.
In Europe, a bell-like instrument appeared several thousand years later than in China, and was called a carillon. People who lived in those days considered this instrument a symbol of paganism. Largely thanks to the legend about one ancient bell located in Germany, which was called “Pig Prey”. According to legend, a herd of pigs found this bell in a giant pile of dirt. People put it in order and hung it on the bell tower, but the bell began to exhibit a certain “pagan essence” and did not make any sounds until it was consecrated by local priests. Centuries passed and in the Orthodox churches of Europe, bells became a symbol of faith, famous quotes from the Holy Scriptures were engraved on them.
Bells in Rus'
In Rus', the appearance of the first bell occurred at the end of the 10th century, almost simultaneously with the adoption of Christianity. By the middle of the 15th century, people began to cast larger bells, as metal smelting factories appeared.
When the bells rang, people gathered for services, or veche. In Russia, this instrument was made of impressive size, with a very loud and very low sound, the ringing of such a bell was heard over very long distances (an example is the “Tsar Bell” made in 1654, which weighed 130 tons and its sound carried more than 7 miles ). At the beginning of the 17th century, there were up to 5-6 bells in Moscow bell towers, each weighing about 2 centners; only one bell ringer could handle it.
Russian bells were called “tongue” bells, since the sound came from them when the tongue was loosened. In European instruments, the sound came from loosening the bell itself, or when hitting it with a special hammer. This is a refutation of the fact that church bells came to Russia from Western countries. In addition, this method of striking made it possible to protect the bell from splitting, which allowed people to install bells of impressive size.
The history of the bell and bells.
Bells and bells. The prototype of the man-made bell was, most likely, a living flower - a delicate and tremulous bell, easily responding to the slightest breath of the breeze. Bells began to be made about six thousand years ago. This unique musical instrument has not lost its popularity in the modern world. Experts do not have a consensus on where these amazing creations of human hands first appeared. Shepherd's bells can be considered one of the oldest ancestors of bells. They are also considered to be among the first musical instruments. In the ancient world, they performed mainly a signaling function.
Primitive peoples made bells from wood, shells and other weakly resonating materials. In more advanced civilizations, bells made of bronze predominated. In ancient times, they were riveted from metal plates and sheets. In the fourth millennium BC, bronze casting technology already existed in southern Iraq and Turkey, Mesopotamia and Egypt. Among the archaeological finds of those times there are many bronze bells of small sizes - from two to nine centimeters. Some experts believe that China is the birthplace of bells. In the fourth millennium BC, bells and bells began to be made in China and Japan. In China they believe that a house without a bell is like a soldier without a rifle. In this country the bells are called the music of the winds and the melodies of space; they are used in purification rituals.
After listening to the melodious ringing of a bell installed on a high tower of a temple in Beijing, the Chinese like to tell a sad legend about the soul of this bell. Legend has it that more than five hundred years ago, the emperor ordered one of his courtiers to cast a large bell. He ordered lead, copper, silver and gold to be mixed to make the sound gentle, sonorous and melodic. For the first time, the foundry workers failed. They reported that the metals did not combine. For the second time, cracks and voids formed in the alloy. The angry emperor announced that if the third attempt was unsuccessful, the official would suffer the death penalty. The daughter of an unlucky courtier named Pretty Flower went to the famous astrologer for help. The sage said that the spell of evil demons that prevent metals from combining will dissipate only if a living innocent girl is thrown into boiling metal. When the craftsmen prepared to cast the bell for the third time, the young daughter of an official jumped into the seething alloy. The metal froze, and everyone saw a wonderful solid bell. When the bell was installed on the tower, its ringing amazed everyone with the purity of its sound, tenderness and power at the same time. But sad and melancholy notes were heard in it.
“It is the soul of the Pretty Flower that is crying,” said the emperor’s courtiers. The custom of calling monks to services arose in Christian monasteries in Egypt. In the ninth century, sets of bells began to be made. And already in the early Middle Ages they were widely used. Since the mid-sixteenth century, Russian bells have surpassed European ones in size. In Europe, bells weighing 100-150 pounds were considered rare, but in Russia there were bells weighing up to 600-1000 pounds. IN AND. Dahl wrote: “Large bells are used almost exclusively in churches, and therefore are also called the voice of God.” Bells have taken root on Russian soil as an integral instrument of the Orthodox Church and an element of folk culture. From the mid-seventeenth century, bell casters became real researchers. They used different shapes, wall thicknesses and sizes of bells, metal composition and technology, finding the best options to get the best sound. The bells were covered with relief images and historical chronicles. “Medieval bells / A melodious call, the sadness of times...” wrote Ivan Bunin. In Burma there is a bell weighing about 6,000 pounds, in Kyoto in Japan - about 5,000 pounds, in Beijing - several bells weighing 3,000 pounds. But, according to experts and listeners, they have poor acoustics and inharmonious sound. They are called silent works of foundry art.
Bells are made from brass, bronze, lead, silver, ceramics, porcelain, crystal, glass and other materials. Porcelain bells were first made in China in the fourth and fifth centuries. They were usually decorated with images of peony flowers. Peony and chrysanthemum are the favorite flowers of the Chinese. Porcelain appeared in Europe only at the beginning of the eighteenth century. The famous Meissen manufactory in Germany produced the first porcelain products, including bells. For more than two hundred years, this company has been famous for the production of porcelain bells, which have become a symbol of Christmas. Small bells made of the finest snow-white porcelain are often compared to lily of the valley flowers. Poets and writers of different times made bells and bells the protagonists of their works: they ring, sing, sob, cry, laugh, thunder, hum, scream.
According to popular belief, evil spirits are afraid of ringing bells. In ancient times, they believed that diseases were caused by demons, so bells were often rung during epidemics. In the 16th and 17th centuries, when the plague raged, the bells rang slowly and steadily, or frequently and with chimes. This was done on the orders of doctors, who believed that the loud sound dispersed heavy, contaminated air. Bell ringing is an art. By selecting different, harmoniously sounding bells in groups, you can perform melodies and even musical works. Nowadays, in many churches and monasteries they ring notes.
Bells in modern Russia
Today, bells are used not only in bell towers, they are considered full-fledged instruments with a certain sound frequency. In music they are used in different sizes; the smaller the bell, the higher its sound. Composers use this instrument to emphasize melody. The ringing of small bells was loved by composers such as Handel and Bach in their works. Over time, the set of small bells was equipped with a special keyboard, making it easier to use. This instrument was used in the opera The Magic Flute.
Types of bells
In an essay or report on bells, you can also write about the main varieties. There are only three of them, based on the size of the instruments:
- large;
- small;
- average.
Large bells are also called evangelists . Their ringing alerts parishioners to the start of the service. They can be holidays, Sundays, fasts, or just daily ones. The first ones are used during the main Orthodox celebrations. They are rung at Easter, Christmas, and the Annunciation. The latter apply only on Sundays, hence the names. And the third type can only be heard during fasting. The common day bells ring daily. There are also polyeleos that play during the corresponding service.
Small devices are also called bell devices . These are small-sized instruments, usually they are combined into one complex. Most often they are used in conjunction with large bells to achieve ringing. They play once before the evening service, twice before the morning service, and three times the small bells ring at the beginning of any Divine Liturgy.
Middle or ringing devices are intended only to decorate the overall sound. This is worth talking about in a music message about bells for 5th grade or in Sunday school lessons. These instruments are larger than small ones. But they are also bundled together and attached to a lamp post.
Their sound is heard during Easter Lent or as a symbol of the liturgy. Also, ringing bells are used in bells, chimes, double rings and trezvon.
Placement principles
Church bells are placed according to special principles. The Orthodox Church uses a special design - a carillon. It is hung on vertical poles at a small height from the floor. This device is quite convenient to operate. It doesn't require much effort. But it is not suitable for large cities, since its ringing is heard only at a short distance.
The bells, hidden under the roof of the church, sound quite quietly. But today the building with these instruments is attached directly to the cathedral. It becomes an integral part of the architectural complex.
In the 19th century, bell towers were located on the roofs of churches . Temples in cities and other populated areas were the tallest structures. And therefore their ringing could be heard almost throughout the entire territory. The simplest option is to install bells on a primitive belfry. This is just a crossbar mounted on small poles above the ground. Thanks to such a simple structure, the person in charge of the bells, the bell ringer, can ring them without climbing to the roof of the temple.
If the belfry was attached to the church, then it became the dominant object in its architecture. An example of such a building can be seen in St. Petersburg on Vasilyevsky Island. The Church of St. Catherine is located there. And sometimes the device was placed on a temple building, then such buildings were called “like the bells.”
Today, instruments can be placed in churches in many different ways. It all depends on the style in which the temple is built. Architects also take into account the size of the bells and their number.
Types of ringing
Over the entire history of the development of bells, many variations of their sound have appeared. Although the ordinary listener practically does not distinguish this beautiful melodic sound, church ministers understand it. Main types of ringing:
- good news;
- chime;
- overkill;
- ringing;
- alarm
Blagovest is the name given to measured single strikes on a large bell. The bell ringer first tries to sound three long, drawn-out ringing sounds. And then he rings the bell at regular intervals. Parishioners can hear such a sound during Easter Lent or on major church holidays.
Chime is solemn, shimmering music . Church ministers use it only before special sacred actions. You can enjoy this melody during the Divine Liturgy or Epiphany service. At the same time, it is easy to distinguish the ringing of all three types of bells. They are struck in turn, resulting in joyful music.
The mournful ringing is called busting; it has a minor scale. It is used during sad events - funeral services or memorial services. The bell ringer first slowly rings each of the three types of bells in turn. The first blow falls on the bell, and the last on the evangelist. And after it subsides, the melody repeats.
The sound of trezvon is reminiscent of finger-picking, since it also involves all the instruments at once. Ordinary people call this melody “Breaking Bad.” The bell ringer must strike the carillon three times and pause briefly between sessions. The ringing of the trezvon causes joy and rejoicing among the parishioners, because it heralds the onset of bright holidays.
Today the alarm is quite rare. Even during Kievan Rus it was used to warn of terrible events. But in modern Russia and other countries there are already other devices for this.
In those days, alarming single sounds were heard from the bell tower. They notified the laity about fires, natural disasters or enemy raids.
Types of bells
In the Russian Orthodox Church, bells are divided into three main groups: large (evangelist), medium and small bells.
In the Russian Orthodox Church, bells are divided into three main groups: large (evangelist), medium and small bells.
Annunciators have a signaling function and are mainly intended to convene believers to Divine services. They can be divided into the following types:
Holiday bells
Festive bells are used on the twelfth holidays, the feast of Holy Easter, and when meeting the bishop. The abbot of the Temple can bless the use of the holiday bell on other days, for example, the consecration of the altar in the temple. The holiday bell should be the largest in weight in the set of bells.
Sunday bells
Sunday bells are used on Sundays and major holidays. If there is a holiday bell, the Sunday bell should be second in weight.
Lenten bells
Lenten bells are used as an evangelist only during Lent.
Polyeleos bells
Polyeleos bells are used on days when the Polyeleos Divine Service is celebrated (in the Typikon they are designated with a special sign - a red cross).
Everyday (simple day) bells
Simple daily bells are used on weekdays of the week.
In addition to the gospel, large bells alone (without other bells) are used when singing “Most Honest...” at Matins and “Worthy...” at the Divine Liturgy. Annunciators are also used for chimes, ringings, and trezvons. Thus, the use of one or another type of evangelist depends on the status of the service, the time of its performance or the moment of the service.
In addition, the group of evangelists can include the so-called “hour” bells, which “chime” the hours.
The middle bells have no special function and serve only to decorate the ringing. The middle bells themselves are used in the so-called double ringing, which is carried out during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during Great Lent. In the absence of middle bells, ringing “in two” is carried out on ringing bells.
Middle bells are also used for chimes, percussions, and trezvons.
Small bells include ringing and ringing bells.
Ringing bells, as a rule, are light weight bells, the tongues of which have ropes attached to them, which are tied together. This results in a so-called link. There can be at least 2 bells in a bunch. As a rule, a bunch consists of 2, 3 or 4 bells.
Ringing bells weigh more than ringing bells. There can be any number of ringing bells. The ropes (or chains), which the bell-ringer presses when ringing, are attached at one end to the tongues of the bells, and at the other to the so-called bell-ringing post.
Through the use of small bells, trezing is performed, which expresses the triumph of the Church, and also indicates the performance of certain parts or moments of the Divine Service. Thus, one trezvon is rung for Vespers, two for Matins, and three for the Divine Liturgy. The reading of the Holy Gospel is also celebrated by ringing the trezvous. The trezvon takes place with the participation of an evangelist.
The simplest and most cost-effective option for placing church bells is a primitive belfry, made in the form of a crossbar mounted on low poles above the ground, which allows the bell ringer to work directly from the ground. The disadvantage of this placement is the rapid attenuation of the sound, and the bell is therefore heard at an insufficiently large distance.
In the Russian church tradition, an architectural technique was initially widespread when a special tower - a bell tower - was installed separately from the church building. This made it possible to significantly increase the range of sound audibility. In ancient Pskov, the belfry was often included in the design of the main building.
At a later time, there was a tendency to attach a bell tower to an existing church building, which was often done formally, without taking into account the architectural appearance of the church building. In the most recent buildings, mainly in the 19th century, the bell tower was included in the design of the church building. And then the bell tower, which was originally an auxiliary structure, became the dominant element in its appearance. An example of such intervention is the addition of a bell tower to the Orthodox Church of St. Catherine on Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg. Sometimes the bells were placed directly on the Temple building. Such churches were called “like the bells.” Before the mass construction of high-rise buildings began, bell towers were the tallest buildings in any populated area, which made it possible to hear the ringing of bells even when located in the most remote corners of a big city.
The bell, which produces a loud and sharply increasing sound, has been widely used since ancient times as a means of signaling. Bell ringing was used to inform about emergencies or enemy attacks. In years past, before the development of telephone communications, fire alarm signals were transmitted using bells. If a fire broke out, it was necessary to strike the nearest bell. Hearing the ringing of a distant fire bell, you should immediately ring the nearest one. Thus, the fire signal quickly spread throughout the populated area. Fire bells were an integral attribute of government offices and other public institutions in pre-revolutionary Russia, and in some places (in remote rural settlements) they have been preserved to this day. Bells were used on the railway to signal the departure of trains. Before the advent of flashing lights and special means of sound signaling, a bell was installed on horse-drawn carriages, and later on emergency vehicles. The tone of the signal bells was made different from the church bells. Signal bells were also called alarm bells.
The history of bell ringing in Rus' and the magical power of bell ringing
Slide 1
The history of bell ringing in Rus' and the magical power of bell ringing Performed by: Mashikhina Diana Teacher: Zherdetskaya Galina Nikolaevna
Slide 2
Goal and objectives Awareness of the historical and cultural heritage of our country. To expand knowledge about the art of making bells, about Russian bell ringing masters, about the meaning of bells in Rus' and in our time, about the magical power of bell ringing.
Slide 3
AND THE HISTORY OF CHURCH BELLS The production and use of bells dates back to ancient times. In ancient times, bells were small in size and were not cast from metal as they are now, but riveted from sheet iron. Later, bells began to be riveted from sheet copper and bronze. Every bell consists of three main parts: 1) mounting ear, 2) bell head (frame), 3) fields, 4) tongue.
Slide 4
FROM THE HISTORY OF CHURCH BELLS The first use of bells in Christian worship, church tradition refers to St. Paulinus, Bishop of Nolan (353-431). In a dream vision, he saw an angel with bells that made wonderful sounds. Wildflowers and bells suggested to St. The peacock is in the shape of bells, which were used during worship. The appearance of bells in Rus' dates back to the very origins of Christianity.
Slide 5
The first chronicle mention of bells The first chronicle mention of bells in Rus' dates back to 988. During excavations of the foundations of the Church of the Tithes (1824), which was headed by Metropolitan Evgeniy (Bolkhovitnikov) of Kiev, two bells were discovered. One of them is made of Corinthian copper, better preserved (weighing 2 pounds 10 pounds, height 9 inches), it is considered the oldest Russian bell.
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Russian bell-making masters Russian bell-making masters were first mentioned in a chronicle in 1194 in Suzdal. At the beginning of the 12th century. Russian craftsmen had their own foundries in Kyiv. The oldest Russian bells sounded small, completely smooth and had no inscriptions. At the beginning of the 16th century. a special type of Russian bells, a system of fastenings, a special shape and composition of bell copper are formed. Under Tsar Ivan the Terrible and his son Theodore, bell making in Moscow developed rapidly. Many bells were cast not only for Moscow, but also for other cities. Master Nemchinov cast the “Blagovestnik” bell, weighing 1000 pounds.
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Tsar Bell The Tsar Bell occupies a special place among all the bells in the world. Since the 16th century. this bell rang several times. Each time, additional metal was added to its original weight. The height of the bell is 6 m 14 cm, the diameter is 6 m 60 cm, the total weight is 201 tons 924 kg (12327 pounds. On May 29, a large fire occurred in Moscow, known as “Troitsky”. When extinguishing the fire due to a strong temperature difference, the bell gave 11 cracks, from a piece weighing 11.5 tons broke off. The bell became unusable. The bell is decorated with images of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Empress Anna Ioanovna. Between them, in two cartouches supported by Angels, there are inscriptions (damaged). The bell is crowned with images of the Savior, the Mother of God and the Evangelists. The upper and lower friezes are decorated with palm branches. Decorations, portraits and inscriptions were made by: V. Kobelev, P. Galkin, P. Kokhtev and P. Serebyakov. Although some of the relief images were damaged during casting, the surviving parts speak of the great talent of Russian craftsmen.
Slide 8
October Revolution By 1917, there were 20 large bell factories in Russia, which cast 100-120 thousand pounds of church bells per year. After the October Revolution of 1917, church bells became especially hated by the new government. The ringing of bells was considered harmful, and by the early 1930s all church bells fell silent. According to Soviet law, all church buildings, as well as bells, were placed at the disposal of Local Councils, which “based on state and public needs, used them at their discretion.” Over the course of several years, in a planned manner, almost everything that Orthodox Rus' had carefully collected for several centuries was destroyed.
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21st century Currently, the art of casting church bells is gradually being revived. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Rus', the Bells of Russia Foundation was established, which revives the ancient traditions of bell art. In their workshops, bells from 5 kg to 5 tons are cast. The largest bell in recent years was the bell for the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Slide 10
Living bell ringing The bell ringing creates very subtle vibrations that cannot be reproduced by any equipment. The ringing of bells in its strength, power and beauty is unusually healing for any person, and especially Russian. He heals the soul and body. It elevates spiritually, restores energy, harmonizes the psyche and strengthens physical health. Accept this simple and wonderful method of healing with joy and love in your heart, and help will definitely be given to you. If you hear a bell ringing, stop and listen. Let a piece of God's love touch you, and your heart be filled with bright joy, peace and tranquility.
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The magical power of bell ringing Bells create very powerful favorable energy vibrations. The sound waves coming from the bell have very powerful healing powers. This is not just a subjective conclusion - a number of studies have been conducted that have shown the ability of bell ringing to cleanse the surrounding space of harmful formations. Whoever heard the morning or evening chime, without realizing it, stopped so as not to miss a single note, and perhaps even felt how the power of sound filled him with something new and beautiful... It is believed that the bell is mysteriously connected with holy powers and human souls; he awakens the earth and the sky.
Slide 12
Conclusion Bells in Rus' have become an integral part of our country, history, and ourselves. Without them, not a single Orthodox church was unthinkable; all events in the life of the state and church were consecrated by the ringing of bells. The bells live in our hearts and we will never forget this ringing. When I was in church with my family on Christmas, the ringing of the bells resonated with joy in my soul and united everyone with good thoughts and faith in peace and happiness on earth.
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