Have you heard Carrilon sounds before?

Last week I witnessed an extraordinary carillon recital by Dr. Mark Konewko here in Vilnius.  It was part of the Music Composition conference at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater where he also presented about the aspects of synesthesia in the organ music of Olivier Messiaen.

Mark is not only a carillonneur but an organist and Director of University choirs at Marquette University.

He came back the second time to give a presentation at the conference in Vilnius. Here's our podcast conversation about carillon from last year.

This time he played his own improvisations and the music of Olivier Messiaen and John Cage among the music of other modern composers on the carillon.

After Mark introduced me to the carillon, I can see why some organists fall in love with this amazing instrument and want to pursue a career in it. That's exactly what happened to Mark when he was a student.

Together with me there was one person present at the carillon console. This was a student from the Academy, Joris.

Mark even allowed Joris and me to press the low Bb or A# pedal (Bourdon) to announce the beginning of each of the 10 movements of the Cage cycle. After recital we become experts in Bb/A#!

Below are some photos and two videos from the event. ​

​Let me know what you think.