The Voyage

The Voyage
Cast in Bronze
(CIB005)

The sound of a bell has an auditory effect like no other instrument: at times sad or ominous, at others cheerful and vibrant, but always unmistakable. If one bell can have such an effect, then many bells only intensify it. That is the power of the carillon, a collection of bells of all sizes played in concert. Rarely heard outside of churches or bell towers, its beauty was largely lost to listeners until now. Cast in Bronze has combined the sound of bells with a variety of instruments, fusing ancient and modern in an entirely new way.

Although the performances on both carillon and other instruments are outstanding, it is ironic that the very instrument Cast in Bronze is showcasing is occasionally drowned out in a cacophony of other sounds. On "Carol of the Bells," the bells themselves are barely audible, a tragedy in light of the effort the performers have put in to bring this unusual instrument to their audience. Additionally, in the song "The Voyage," the tinkling bells are swamped by the keyboards. Redemption comes, however, in the unearthly vocals and tolling bells on "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," which has a mournful quality perfect for this classic folk song from the Civil War era.

"The Box" and "Trapped" are the best examples of the carillon's versatility. From delicate and ethereal to weighty and resonant, each note has the transient sound that characterizes the bells. Classical music is also represented here, with a rock-opera rendition of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and an exquisite version of that staple of horror-film soundtracks, "O Fortuna" from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.

The versatile carillon comes into its own in the talented hands of Cast of Bronze; one can only hope for more of this electrifying music in the future.

To order, visit www.castinbronze.com

--Richard Mackenzie