Instruments of the Modern Symphony Orchestra/CELESTA
CELESTA
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André Benoist
This instrument was invented in 1886 by Mustel, of Paris, the eminent manufacturer of harmoniums. It is a small keyboard instrument and consists of a series of steel plates suspended over, accurately tuned wooden resonators. The plates are struck by small hammers and damped when the keys are released by an action similar to that of the pianoforte.
The tone of the celesta is of exquisite purity. While lacking the power and the sparkling brilliancy of the glockenspiel it excels that instrument in mellowness and refinement of tone as well as in facility of execution.
Until comparatively recent times the celesta was little used by other than French composers, though Tschaikowsky was early attracted to it and promptly introduced it into several of his ballets. Of late years, composers of all nations, notably Puccini and Richard Strauss, have included parts for this instrument in their orchestrations. The celesta is especially effective in combination with harps, supported by the soft chords in the woodwind. It is usually treated as a transposing instrument, the celesta part being written an octave below the actual sound.
