The campanula

The campanula

The campanula was developed after I was awarded with a contract to design an instrument after the model of a plant. I took the campanula (bell flower) as the ideal.

The campanula has a rich spectrum of harmonic overtones. The tone is warm and soft. Most listeners experience the sound as room-filling and far-carrying. The tonal reaction is accurate and fast. The campanula is build in all sizes. Its four playable strings are tuned the same way as with a cello, the measure of string length is identical as well. Additionally, there are 16 resonating strings wich are spread across the whole body of the campanula and may be tuned with pegs applied at the foot of the neck. Due to the resting point at the bridge, they are divided in a proportion of 9 to 8. In the row of possible harmonics, this is equivalent to the interval of a second. This setup has proven to be  very pure in tone up to the highest harmonics.

Because of its construction and the applied sympathetic strings the campanula will deploy its special attraction and characteristic wealth of colour best when played in the intimate atmosphere of chamber music.

It creates its own room in sound and a deep experience of pure tone, wich leaves it  needless of any reverb when recorded. Like a seismograph, the campanula will bring out every heartfelt emotion of its player.

The contemporary composer Michael Denhoff has written and performed a couple of tunes on one of my campanulas.

 

Design by Kisui @ Joomlage Template