Handcrafted in Germany
Keyboard Glockenspiel, natural oak
Keyboard Glockenspiel, black finish
Symbiosis of celesta mechanics & glockenspiel sound
Virtuosic bell sounds
This worldwide unique keyboard glockenspiel brings together the perfect harmony of celesta mechanics and the characteristic glittering glockenspiel sound in the tradition of the first “piano glockenspiel” from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Magic Flute”. The Schiedmayer keyboard glockenspiel is heard from the Metropolitan Opera in New York to the Berlin Philharmonic and the Volksoper in Vienna to the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.
The original glockenspiel consisted of larger and smaller bells, which were first played with hammers and levers and later with metal rods. The glockenspiel solos in George Frideric Handel’s oratorio “Saul” (1739), for example, were written in this tradition. Mozart, however, envisaged a new instrument for the premiere of his “Magic Flute”, which was to be playable with a keyboard.
Composers such as Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, Dimitri Shostakovich and many others later made use of the special sound characteristics and the extended possibilities in terms of playing speed and gave the keyboard glockenspiel (French “jeu de timbre”) a permanent place in concert and opera literature.
Celesta or keyboard glockenspiel
Today, a celesta is still often used to take over parts composed for the keyboard glockenspiel (such as for the “Magic Flute”). But this does not correspond to the sound desired by the composer. The keyboard glockenspiel differs from the celesta in two main ways. The most important difference is in the touch and sound. While the celesta uses the characteristic felt hammers and produces a warm, rather spherical sound, the keyboard glockenspiel uses bronze mallets that strike stronger sound plates. This produces the piercing bell sound rich in overtones. The keyboard glockenspiel, with its 3.5 octaves (c2-g5), also has a much smaller range and is therefore smaller.
For comparison, here are two audio examples:
Manufactory of keyboard glockenspiels since 1970
The Schiedmayer keyboard glockenspiel is handmade in our manufactory in Germany. It resembles a small piano with a pedal for damping and has a striking mechanism like the Celesta. We have been making this unique instrument longer than any other manufacturer in the world, using the patented Celesta mechanism with bronze balls instead of felt hammers.
The model allows the interpretation of the complete repertoire for keyboard glockenspiels.
Sometimes there are refurbished or demonstration keyboard glockenspiels for sale – for more information about the instrument, prices and purchasing options please contact us by using the contact form.
Dimensions and weight
Keyboard Glockenspiel c2-g5
| Width | 85 cm (incl. safety bar) |
| Height | 96 cm (incl. caster) |
| Depth | 59 cm (incl. safety bar) |
| Weight | 62 kg |
Details & special features
Upon request we will arrange shipping and delivery worldwide.
Contact us
We would be happy to inform you about our keyboard glockenspiel, also about sale & price!