As we approach spring and start to look for the flowers that adorn our picturesque Riverwalk, I start thinking of the sounds of spring. The frozen waters are now flowing waters. The birds have returned and are rejoicing in song. And, our Millennium Carillon boldly fills our community with a joyful noise.
This year will not sound quite so jubilant toward the end of spring though, as the Carillon will be silenced in order to do necessary repairs. It is a price that we’ll pay to be without those bells comforting so many of us for the Summer Recital Series on Tuesday evenings as we sit with our families on Rotary Hill, but the work will ensure that we have music experiences for years to come. (If you are a Saturday and Sunday regular, concerts will continue until construction begins in June!)
In preparation, I went looking for recordings that may deliver a similar vibe and feel of the carillon sound. Although there is nothing quite like the massive tone and vibration that emanates from the Carillon itself, there is a compilation available on the Spotify platform that may make the Carillon concertgoer smile. It is called “Carillon Bells of Britain” and it includes many traditional pieces like “Last Rose Of Summer,” as well as classical pieces from Daquin, Handel, and more.
So, enjoy this spring and all of the joyous sounds it ushers in.
Come June, I would urge you to pack a basket of snacks and some headphones and head to your backyard, a nearby park, or even Rotary Hill to continue enjoying the Carillon experience even after construction begins.
For more information, visit www.naperville-carillon.org.
