Carillon

Description

Georges Bizet composed incidental music for Alphonse Daudet’s play L’Arlesienne (The Woman of Arles) in 1872. L’Arlesienne Suites No. 1 and 2 consist of selections from this music. Bizet chose four sections from the original score of twenty seven episodes for the first suite and Carillon is the title of the final movement. A “carillon” is a set of bells which are activated from a keyboard. This instrument is represented in the music with a constant three note motive.

Carillon is a wonderful example of Bizet’s writing. Play a recording of the original suite so students can consider the aspect of tone color in their practicing. They would also be excited to hear some of the famous tunes from his opera Carmen which they may find familiar.

Published by: RBC Publications