SWP070

Dom Tower Bells

The beautiful bells of Utrecht

The Utrecht Dom Tower Bells are among the finest in Europe. Now finally a recording that captures the build-up and power of this music! All 14 bells are rung together only twice a year. This sequence is 14’56” in length. Yes this is a 'field recording' made in the centre of an old city! Both as a longtime resident of the old city centre of Utrecht and as a musician/composer, Michael Baird loved the sound of the Dom bells when they were all rung together every August. And as an internationally renowned field-recordist of music out in the African bush, for many years on such ringing occasions he wandered about the centre of town searching for the (probably) best spot from which to record this heavenly music thundering down upon us from a high tower. No easy task, such a recording, also with over 300 people present in the cathedral square! The recording, made in 2018, was mixed, and then mastered by a top sound-designer from the film world, ensuring that each bell is perfectly audible. This recording does justice to the beautiful bells of the Dom Tower of Utrecht, rung with dedication by the Utrechts Klokkenluiders Gilde.

The Ringing World 2024 (GB): The care that went into the production of this CD is evident. All the bells can clearly be heard. The overall effect of the chime with all bells swinging is tremendous, as anyone listening to the CD must agree. The sound of the city is present in the background, and there is a fine sense of space making it seem that we are actually there in the cathedral square. There is a growing sense of anticipation as each of the bells start to sound, until finally Salvator, the biggest bell, joins the ensemble. The sound of the 14 bells together is arresting. As the sound dies away after 15 minutes we can reflect on the skill needed to cast these huge bells half a millenium ago, and the efforts of the two dozen ringers swinging them today. After hearing this CD, I must go to Utrecht to hear the bells in person!