Celesta – the instrument’s origins – the making of the celesta in the Schiedmayer workshop.

This video informs about the musical instrument celesta: its invention in 1886, its very specific sound generation or action mechanism, and particularly the making of the instrument in the Schiedmayer workshop. Schiedmayer started manufacturing the celesta in 1890 and is today the only celesta manufacturer in the world. The workshop tour shows the high level of craftsmanship and true artisan work that goes into each instrument. The best-known piece in which the celesta plays an important role is certainly The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy from Tchaikovsky’s ballett The Nutcracker. But many classical and modern composers use the celesta for their orchestral works due to the unique, always intriguing and enchanting sound of the instrument. As for the celesta’s presence in other music genres, John Williams‘ soundtrack Hedwig’s Theme from the Harry Potter movie is a perfect example.

To learn more about Schiedmayer and the celesta: http://www.celesta-schiedmayer.de/en/home/

Listen to some fascinating samples of celesta music: http://www.celesta-schiedmayer.de/en/audio-clips/

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