The Australian National Carillion is a large carillion situated on Aspen Island in Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, Australia.
History
The carillon was a gift from the British government to the people of Australia to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Capital, Canberra. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the National Carillon on 26 April 1970. The 50 metre tall National Carillon tower was designed by Western Australian architects Cameron, Chisholm & Nicol.
Characteristics
Carillons must have at least twenty three bells to be considered as such, and the National Carillon has fifty three. Each bell weighs between seven kilograms and six tonnes. The bells span four and a half octaves chromatically.
The tower is triangular-shaped, and has three large triangular supports, with a service lift, passenger lift, and staircase in each support. The raised level of the carillion has three levels.
- the clavier level consisting of the clavier proper, a practice clavier, a shower and a dressing room for recitals,
- the bells
- a function and observation room
Usage
The carillon is still in use today, and tours and recitals occur near-daily. The best place to listen to the carillon is suggested to be within 100 metres of the building, but it has been audible from across Lake Burley Griffin.
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