For Whom the Bell Tolls

"Before the invention of modern machinery, only bells and heavy artilleries were capable of producing noises that could compete with the thunderous roars of nature. In many ways, the fates of bells and cannons are inexorably intertwined: since they are made out of essentially the same materials, in times of war bells would be confiscated and melted down to create cannons and rifles. When the war was over, bells were then recast out of surplus cannons and weapons. The auditory coverage of bells defines territories, separating one community from another along cultural, religious, or ideological fault lines. Bells also connect individuals. When great care is taken in the tuning of bells, the purity of tone and fullness of volume become sources of collective pride. The abduction of bells on the other hand – often involving violent conflicts – aroused fierce animosities, and individual’s sense of belonging is greatly disturbed by such events." (Alain Corbin, 1998).

You are welcome to download the recordings on this page for listening or for reuse in your own projects.

For Whom the Bell Tolls’s tracks

• October 29, Stift Wilten, Innsbruck by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• October 30, Peace Bell, Seefeld by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• October 26, Vienna, Pummerin in combination with smaller bells, at 17:15 by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• October 26, Vienna, Pummerin solo, at 17:00 by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• October 26, Vienna, Stephansdom, at 08:00 by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• October 26, Vienna, Stephansdom, at approximately 10:00 by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• Sept 17, Angel Gates Park, tourists imitate the sound of the Korean Bell of Friendship by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• Sept 20, Tillman Hall at Clemson University, "dies at age 23" by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• Sept 20, Tillman Hall at Clemson University, Interview with university carillonneur Linda Dzuris by For Whom the Bell Tolls
• Sept 20, Tillman Hall at Clemson University, three bells peeling out by For Whom the Bell Tolls