Cast in Bronze "Carol of the Bells"

[slyballer13]

I first herd this at the renisance by houston, it was pouring rain, a cloudy and cold day. and when my uncle n cousin said they were going over to watch, I thought it was stupid... When he started playing the rain fell harder n the music sent chills down my back n I was left speechless

[magicalbass1]

i saw him back in 2003 and all i can say is that he is amazing. its a way bigger experience in person than in video. even bought 2 of his albums

[pheildcorn]

a middle ages medicin man, rose petals in the nose to keep the pleag at bay

[DemonicAngelicGurl]

the music is amazing and the mask is icing on the cake. makes me wish ren fen was everyday and not just at the fair grounds

[Teddifish]

He played at WDW one year, without the mask---our family thought it took some of the mystery away and were happy to see him re-masked at the Georgia Renn festival the following year.

[ariandynas]

I just really wish there was some good quality music of him playing, his CD's just arent quite the same, all the videos are of (no offense) poor quality, and for obvious reason I can't feel the pressure in my chest from the ringing bells.

[ariandynas]

I will say, I DO feel rather sorry for the fellow, he has to wear noise-dampening earmuffs at all times playing the thing, playing in such close proximity to 1 ton of ringing bronze is slowly costing him his hearing. Only thing worse than a blind painter is a deaf composer. (and yes I already know that Degas and Beethoven were blind and deaf respectively, but stil...)

[UsurperDunamis]

The plague bird masque is absolutely beautiful and it suits him marvelously; a dark angel chiming away at bells that bring like to the darkness. Glorious.

[krose90]

This is quoted from Frank Della Penna's website for Cast In Bronze:

"The carillon is played by a silent and masked "spirit of the bells" that appears only to breathe life into the instrument for the performance."

This would mean that the focus should be laid upon the bells, and not the artist. As the artist only gives life to the bells, it should be interpreted this way. The bells are intended to be the focal point.

[krose90]

I believe that his live shows should be done solo or with other live artists. When I saw him, he was unfortunately playing along with recordings. =[ Not only that, but the back up music clouds his talent. I would like to hear him play solo, without recording or accompaniment.

[xsychosis]

AGAIN TO ALL. THE MASK IS TO MAINTAIN A STATE OF MYSTERY OF WHO IS PLAYING THE BELLS. TWHEN THE BELLS WERE IN THE TOWERS OF EUROPE NO ONE KNEW WHO PLAYED THEM.

[robertgift]

Ain't no mystery.

Just a human-being playing an instrument.

A few times I have played carillon in short-sleeved shirt and shorts.

That's about as mysterious as it gets.

Oh, one time I played Chim-Chim-Cheree on a theater organ while dressed in me tophat and tails. On the way home from cleaning three chimbleys I dropped in at an "open console" at Denver's Paramountheater. First had to lay me flue brushes down and wash me ands.

[gamingcultist]

lolwut? grotesque? horrid? freaky, maybe, but not hiddeous. when i saw this guy for the first time a few years ago i thought his costume was awesome, and now it reminds me of the doctor in AC Brotherhood

[HalfAssPictures]

in every video I have seen of this guy, he's extra creepy....

[poetesstx]

Dunno about anyone else, but I'm a forever fan. Who cares what he wears (though I think it's cool).

[Epicness456]

That man is a very inspiring person he changed my thoughts on music. I think his whole idea of music is great. His mask rules, and i shook that mans hand.

[MrCopperhead1861]

Pretty neat

[1401JSC]

What would we have done without Mike Oldfield and "Tubular Bells" in 1973 already?

[kgrace50]

Carillon were around YEARS before

The Exorcist was ever thought of. There is no comparison. This is the real deal.

[1401JSC]

Travelling carrilons date from what year?

This particular performance does not depend solely on the limited skills of the carrillionneur, but on a prerecorded backing that uses guitars & synthesistersT The whole effect is indeed "Tubular Bells".

[kgrace50]

I have no idea when travelling carillons date from. Not what I was referencing, doesn't matter anyway. Did not mean to offend. Please enjoy the music.

[Rikki0]

Carillons date from the 17th and 18th centuries. Whether they traveled or not is immaterial.

[Rikki0]

I must correct myself. After more extensive research I find the first Carillon was developed in 1480.

[alekbaby1]

you may have your info about the traveling carrilon but from what i understand he is the first to do it because it weighs so much. it is like 4,000 pounds. I saw him perform many times it is really awsome, soon will see him again.

[intlDrx7]

this performance was awesom in the 2009 Scarborough Faire why haven't I gone before?

[springdalekittymama]

Cant wait to buy his CD this year at the Pittsburgh Ren Faire!

[tangsoopap]

Just at the Pgh RenFest and bought one. He has quite a few. Look for "Celtic Commotion" there too.

[Mirtika]

Oh, the Carol of the Bells is LOOOOOVELY on the Carillon. I want to go see Cast in Bronze now at the Fl Renn Fair. How cool. THANKS.

[861147]

No one has yet to see the golden phoenix's face and live to tell the tale...

[WolfsongMoonMurderz]

Not true! I have, yet he nor I knew it...at the time. I found out it was him later on.

[Hobbs360]

creepy

[ScarbyPlaytron]

I quote Frank DellaPenna "Our native American Ancestors believe the bird is sacred because its spirithover between the heavens and the earth watching over us. I have collected their discarded feathers hoping their spirit would stay with me giving me strength. it is little wonder I have chosen the bird as the spirit if the Carillon, more specifically the phoenix-Amiythical bird who rose from the ashes. My Family name is DellaPenna, its means ofthe feather.

[ScarbyPlaytron]

I like Him He is a nice guy. This is at scarborough faire I reconize the stage its over by the human chess board

[RapturedNight18]

I had the pleasure of watching him perform in person myself, it was definately a memorable experience. I'll be buying several of his CD's for Christmas gifts this year, that's certain.

[mindfreak10210]

i saw him at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Faire, hes amazing! French, too!

[xovetiiox]

O_O he's not french.

[mindfreak10210]

yes he is! omg, he speaks it very fluently nd just HAPPENS to be FRENCH!

[halo10001]

hes not French, i talked to him myself, i spoke with him at the Colorado Renaissance Festival

[mindfreak10210]

i spoke with him myself as well at the Pittsburgh Rehaissance Faire. my cousin met him IN France

[halo10001]

kay? so what if he performed in France? it doesnt make him French

[ScarbyPlaytron]

I think hes Italian

[dragynnboy]

he is

[ScarbyPlaytron]

he may be of italian heritage but he from pennsylvania, the inside of his cd"The Voyage" says so.

[xovetiiox]

no, we're cousins. we're italian. de...la...penna. of the pen, not 'de la stylo'...:} haha

[Wackyman2]

I just saw him today, bought a CD. Good stuff.

[JustinJMiller]

I saw him personally just this past weekend, and he is amazing!!

[liltat2chick]

OTIV.. it is because he is 'the spirit of the bells' as playing this instrument was certian obscurity for the person. High bell tower, multiplue tons of bells, yeah not Hendrix.

[malmiranda]

I saw him play this in colorado on sunday then i fell in love with the carrilion

[UsagixRuki]

Holy crap. I think I was there the day you taped this. I see a guy in earmuffs, so it had to had been either that day or that weekend. xD Anywho.

This guy is incredible. I kicked myself for not buying one of his CDs.

[virtualviper]

The first time I ever saw him was at the Georgia Renaissance Festval (I don't think he plays there anymore though). He said it was so hot that he had to take off his mask, everybody was shocked. lol He looked just like a normal guy.

[OTIVrecords]

why is he dressed like a ninja?

[trauqraf]

the first time I went to RenFest Tex (Plantersville) he was playing, and this song has aways drawn me in, but this time it stopped me dead in my tracks. I bought all 3 cds that day.. and have just about worn out 2 of them ...

[bleachfan4561]

i saw him last month he was really good. i bought a cd

[silentdreamer597]

Nice video. Saw him last last year in Plantersville, and I'm going back this year.

[cobhc2424]

shit this is really good... i swear he should really join a symphonic deth or black metal band

[robertgift]

Frank is handsome. Too bad you can't see him because of the repulsive mask.

[nikkirehman]

I've always wondered what he looks like! I can't find a picture anywhere. :-(

[robertgift]

What did you think when you saw his "bird-beak" mask? Here in Denver, people say it is grotesque. One said, "Horrid".

In Denver's Christmas Parade Channel 9 TV covered his carillon very well but carefully did not show him. He is also strong and both he and wife are attractive.

[nikkirehman]

I wouldn't go so far as to say "grotesque" or "horrid." It does add an air of mystery and make his character instantly recognizable while allowing him the anonymity to wander around uninterrupted. I'm just curious about the man behind the mask!

[robertgift]

Frank is intelligent, handsome, talented.

Yes, his mask does convey a mystery. But why? At the Christmas Parade, many thought it weird and "evil" and inappropriate. He's friendly so I doubt he'd mind people greeting him and asking questions.

[robertgift]

Wow! A minus for saying he's intelligent, handsome, talented and friendly?

In the Christmas Parade, Channel Nine had good air time of his carillon, but went out of their way not to show him.

[darkeyedrakin]

Franks allso quite shy in person.

[mindfreak10210]

i noticed tht

[ariandynas]

@nikkirehman Met the fellow, pictures ARE rare simply because he always keeps his mask on for preformances, the idea being he hides his face so you can't see him, much as you couldn't see the Carilloneur back when they were common. I wouldnt consider his mask grotesque per-se but it IS appropriate considering his last name is "Della-Pella" (literally of the plume or feather,)

[hecallsmebeatle]

@robertgift Well I dont think is grotesque or horrid or even repulsive, I think it gives him a strange mystery and a personality that no one can match. It makes me think of wandering around some castle or other and hearing his strange concoctions of music then seeing him there, his golden mask shining in the moonlight of some high window. Hes always so amazing at the Denver Ren Fest I dont think Ive ever not liked him and Ive been going every year since I was born.

[robertgift]

Many are repulsed. I have heard their remarks.

When Channel 9 broadcast Denver's Parade of Lights, they were careful to keep him out of view. For many seconds they showed his carillon and individual bells - but not even a glimpse of him.

Frank is good-looking and strong.  No one would know.

I like the carillon much better by itself. (Or with brass.)

[Rita226]

@robertgift who cares about his ouyfit??? This man has talent all the way! Saw him today and thought it was a cool outfit for this kinda instument,he was awesome ! It's amazing how ppl worry bout nonsense like clothing etc, listen to his talent that's all i gotta say!

[robertgift]

@Rita226 People say it's odd, strange, weird, S&M.

In the Parade of Lights Channel 9 was careful not to show Frank.

No one is "worrying". But many leave talking about the weird guy rather than the beautiful bells. I've heard them.

Playing the huge Denver City Hall clock tower bells, I dress in my chimney sweep attire; black turtleneck, black jeans, Greek fisherman's cap and black coat - because I sometimes go up into the dirty belfry. Unusual but no "bird beak".

[xsychosis]

@robertgift

The idea of the mask is that you dont know who he is. In old days when the carilion was still in towers in europe. Nobody knew who played the bells in the tower. So to keep up tradition, Frank Della Penna (the guy paying the bells here) donned a mask. I met the guy in person at musikfest in bethlehem PA. He's cool

[robertgift]

@xsychosis Some people did knowho the carillonneur was. Just as they did the organist, who was not easily seen in the organ loft - often behind the rückpositive.

The mask causes unfortunate comments andistraction from the beautiful carillon music.

Instead of remembering the wonderful music, people remember the weird, odd "bird beak". I've heard the comments.

[Rugger0430]

I just saw him for the first time at the pittsburgh ren fest. we were walking through the woods and you could here him playing and we followd the music. Hes outstanding..

[Acirema1973]

I seen him earlier yesterday in those same woods at the same ren festival!! I never heard anything like this in my entire life!!

[Rugger0430]

I was in aww, It truly set the tone for the festival.

[sasukethevengeful]

I watch this guy every time i go to Renfair in Texas. You can hear him throughout the whole festival is just an idea to give you an idea how well his sound carries.

[Alucardgirl17]

This is beautiful...

[Vorspire]

It is a truely amazing thing to see for sure! I was at SRF this year, saw every show he played throughout the day. Bought the DvD too, worth a watch! castinbronze dot com

[wyvernflight]

This is the ONLY traveling carillion in the world. He is playing a keyboard of levers that play each bell! I never miss this performance when he is at Texas Rennaisance Festival. Absolutely fantastic.

[robertgift]

Wrong

[robertgift]

Other traveling (mobile) carillons exist. But I doubt any are owned by the carillonneur as is Frank's! (This system did not allow another word after "Wrong" and did not reply under the erroneous post.)

[darkeyedrakin]

Actuly theres only one other

[ScarbyPlaytron]

it is not! he has an apprentice, he is also the very first american to graduate from the French carillon school with a masters degree. don't ask how i know this shit