World-Class Musicians Command the Town’s Historic Carillon-July 21, 2014

The town of Norwood was treated to a unique musical experience on July 21, 2014, as international carillonneurs Elena Sadina and Sergei Gratchev performed at the Tilton Memorial Carillon on Norwood Town Hall. The two musicians, from the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, Belgium, were teaching in New England for the summer.

Despite having played on many carillons before, Gratchev and Sadina expressed their excitement about playing on the Tilton Memorial Carillon, which is one of the largest carillons in the United States. “It’s our pleasure to play at this different instrument in the states,” Sadina said, noting that the carillons in Europe are much smaller than those in America.

The Tilton Memorial Carillon, a 50-bell musical instrument that uses a keyboard or baton and pedals to produce sound, was given to the town by Joseph Bannister Wattai J7. Tilton. Gratchev mentioned that it was his first time playing on this particular carillon, but he felt like he had played it before due to its unique sound.

Sadina emphasized the importance of being careful with the program when performing on a carillon. “The instrument is here, and it has a nice sound,” she said. “You have to be very crafty with the program.”

The concert featured several French folk songs, as well as a nocturne by Jel Deien, who opened the Royal Carillon School. The musicians also performed “Summer” from Porgy & Bess and “Porgy & Bess.” Gratchev noted that when performing on a carillon, one has to show their ability to play quickly or difficult tunes, but sometimes it’s better to play easier tunes so that the audience can appreciate the music.

Sadina and Gratchev have been part of Norwood’s carillon concert series since 2000. They like being in Norwood because it is a beautiful town situated near the city of Boston, which makes it an excellent location for them.

This marked Sadina’s third and Gratchev’s fourth performance on the Tilton Memorial Carillon. Their journey to Norwood began at the 1991 Congress of the Wall Carillon Federation. Matthew, the carillonneur at Middlebury College in Vermont, introduced them to Lee Leach, who has been a part of Norwood’s carillon concert series since then.

The night before, Sadina and Gratchev performed at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Norwood, which also hosts a carillon series due to its proximity to Norwood. They have been performing on two consecutive nights.

Gratchev expressed his happiness about being in Norwood and playing the Tilton Memorial Carillon. “It is a really beautiful instrument in Norwood,” he said. “Thank you to Lee and the others who give us the opportunity to play here and be here.”

The carillon concert series, which features music every Monday through August 18, will include Vera Winniholt, Steven Bill of New Jersey, Roy Foezen from the Netherlands, and George Mttfl in the week’s music. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and last about an hour.

Leach recommends that attendees park behind Norwood Town Hall.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Transcript Bulletin/Wicked Local