Zvons

Here are some samples of Russian zvons (hear in particular those from Rostov), plus a few from Mount Athos and from America; and also some examples of English change-ringing for comparison.

For .mp3 files that demonstrate individual bells from our foundries, please click here.


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From Mount Athos

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The Holy Monastery of Chilandar (Athos' Serbian monastery) (link)

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The Holy Monastery of Iviron

From Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco

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Finliandsky bells donated by Tsar Alexander III in 1888

Pyatkov Bells in San Anselmo, California

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Early sample on 7 bells. This is the first set we imported, just after installing it.

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Pyatkov bell No. 6, struck once

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Pyatkov bell No. 8, struck twice

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Another Pyatkov bell, not in San Anselmo.

Zvons of Great Rostov

Rostov the Great is one of Russia's oldest cities. It is first mentioned in the Russian Primary Chroniclein 862 as a remote frontier post of Kievan Rus'. It eventually became the capital and spiritual center of northeastern Russia, and another settlement, Moscow, was founded in its territory in1147. Rostov was the birthplace of St Sergius of Radonezh, and a multitude of other Saints have been glorified there by God.

Rostov's Dormition Cathedral is one of the most renowned Christian temples of Russia. It was the very first church in northeast Russia, having been founded in 991, when Russia was baptised. The Cathedral has been rebuilt four times; the current structure is almost 500 years old.

The Cathedral is also famous for its belltower (to the rear of the photo) with its 15 bells ranging in size from 24 to 32,760 kg (about 50 to 70,000 lbs). Most were cast in the 1680's. The largest and most famous bell is named "Sisoy" after the bishop who had it cast (the original Sisoes was a desert father). Rostov's bells are the "classical" ones of Russia.

Soviet law outlawed the playing of bells in 1930, and the Cathedral itself was closed in 1935; its interior was badly neglected until Perestroika. In 1991 the temple was restored to the faithful, a parish community was organized, and restoration commenced. Today, the bells once again accompany the church services, just as they should.

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Sisoy, the great bell at Great Rostov

rostov-georgiev.mp3

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The famous Georgiev Zvon ("George's Zvon", 1720's). This is the one on our video.

rostov-ioakimov.mp3

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"Joachim's Zvon" (1720's)

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Composed in 1894 by Fr. Aristarkh Israilev for the jubilee of Archbishop Jonathan.

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"Jonah's Zvon" (1690's). Slow and stately. Listen to the podzvonny.

rostov-krasny.mp3

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"Krasny" means "red" and "red" means "beautiful". Give it a minute to blossom. Borrowed from the Pskov Caves Belltower.

rostov-maly.mp3

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"Lesser Peal", used before the Liturgy. What's amazing is that they were doing this centuries before Miles Davis.

rostov-brightweek.mp3

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A Bright Week zvon, composed in 1819. Definitely bright and paschal.

rostov-vodosvat.mp3

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Peal used during the Great Blessing of Water.

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A recently composed wedding peal.

Vladimir Petrovsky, Zvonar

From his album, "Chimes of Russian North"
(see http://www.orthodoxy.ru/bells/)

vp-1.mp3

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vp-1n-weekday.mp3

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vp-2n-krasniy.mp3

1063

 

vp-3n-festal.mp3

1158

 

vp-4n-waterblessing.mp3

1567

 

vp-5n-visitation.mp3

1686

 

vp-6n-monkstory.mp3

2087

 

vp-7n-obsession.mp3

2938

 

vp-8n-woodenrussia.mp3

2054

 

English Change Ringing

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