Crotales

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Crotales
Crotales, C6–C8 range, by Paiste
Percussion instrument
Classification Percussion
Hornbostel–Sachs classification111.22
(Percussion plaques)
Closeup

Crotales (

castanet
or rattle.

Modern crotales are arranged chromatically and have a range of up to two octaves. They are typically available in sets (commonly one octave) but may also be purchased individually. Crotales are treated as transposing instruments; music for crotales is written two octaves lower than the sounding pitch to minimize ledger lines.

Crotal bells are a type of small bell, mostly medieval. A different form of crotal is found in Prehistoric Ireland. The National Museum of Ireland and British Museum have several examples on display dating from the late Bronze Age (c. 800 BC) which were found in the Dowris Hoard, alongside various brass wind instruments. These are bronze cylinders in the rough shape of a bull's testicle, with a piece of baked clay or a pebble inside. It is presumed they functioned as a type of rattle. The hoard had 48 of them in total, in two sizes. Only two other examples are known, both Irish.[2]

Uses

One of the earliest uses of crotales in the orchestral repertoire is Hector Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette (1839). Other classical pieces featuring crotales include Claude Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, Maurice Ravel's orchestration of his Alborada del gracioso and Henri Dutilleux's Cello Concerto.[3]

The contemporary American composer

John Adams uses them in many of his more colorful orchestral pieces such as Short Ride in a Fast Machine.[4] Composer Julia Wolfe uses crotales in her oratorio Fire in my mouth.[5]

Crotales are also found in popular music, particularly in rock music.

YYZ", and Alan White of Yes used them in the middle instrumental section of "Awaken" from Going for the One
.

References

  1. ^ Merriam-Webster Dictionary, s.v. "crotales", accessed February 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Karl Peinkofer and Fritz Tannigel, Handbook of Percussion Instruments, (Mainz, Germany: Schott, 1976), 61.
  3. ^ May, Thomas (ed.). The John Adams Reader: Essential Writings on an American Composer. Pompton Plains, N.J.: Amadeus, 2006. p. 108
  4. ^ "Concert program: New York Stories: Threads of our City". New York Philharmonic Leon Levy Digital Archives. New York City. 24 Jan 2019. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-03-19.

External links

  • Media related to Crotales at Wikimedia Commons