Homecoming of the Danilov Bells: The Ring of History

Bells first appeared in Russia in 988 following the country’s conversion to Christianity, which was decreed by Prince Vladimir I. The bells were imported from abroad, together with the new religion and quickly became its symbol. The first recorded bell made in Russia itself dates back to 1066. Russian bell-makers lagged behind their western counterparts, producing simple cacophonous models, designed quite simply to notify people of an upcoming religious service. During the years of the Tatar-Mongol invasion (1243-1480) bell-making, like so many traditional Russian arts, declined. However, by the early 1500s, Russian craftsmen were making the biggest and best-sounding bells in the world. Having developed independently from Europe, the Russian style of bell-making gained very distinctive features. For example, Russian bells are usually more elongated than those found in the rest of the world.

The bell-casting industry bloomed in the 17th century. This was mostly due to the fact that new copper deposits being mined in previously unexploited parts of the country. In 1653 the biggest ringing bell in history was cast in Moscow under the supervision of Aleksandr Grivoriev, one of the most renowned bell makers of the time. The bell weighed over 100 tonnes. In an illustration by the Austrian ambassador to Russia the impressive size of the bell can be seen - it is five times the height of a human.

The Russian style of bell-ringing differs significantly from the western one. Churches in the West use their bells to mimic melodic pattern of hymns, making the bells an instrument of tune. The Russian Orthodox Church is the only one to use bells for rhythm. This follows the belief that hymns are much better suited to the human voice or an orchestra. The bell in Russia serves an altogether different purpose and its sound bears very specific religious connotations. Their rhythmic peal appears to have a life of its own, which, according to clergymen, is representative of the voice of God and its effect upon the human soul.

Traditionally, Russian bells are rung exclusively by tolling - by moving only the clapper so that it strikes the sides of the bell. This is done not only to produce a different quality of sound, but also because Russian bells are often much bigger and heavier than their foreign analogues. The unique sound of Russian bells is also due to their metal composition. Silver, which is often added to the alloy, produces a distinctive sonority, for which Russian bells are so famous all over the world. Russian bell-casting also has an ornamental style, not usually found in other cultures. The bodies of the bells are often covered with religious symbols: images of saints, churches and phrases from the Bible.

In village life, the church bell was perhaps the most important feature of the community. All things related to the bell, such as its casting, hanging and ringing were interpreted as important social events which found their reflection in numerous sayings and folk tales. People's lives were defined by the church bell's ring. It marked the beginning of the day and its end. Different bells were rung on weekdays, Sundays and holidays.

The solemn sound of ringing bells has inspired many great Russian composers. Scenes of death, marriage and regal ceremonies in Mussorgsky's opera "Boris Godunov" have a distinctive air of church bells about them. The great composer Rakhmaninov admitted in his memoirs that the sound of church bells, which filled his childhood, had a great impact on his music. The same can be heard within the compositions of Glinka and Rimsky-Korsakov.


Homecoming of the Danilov Bells: The Spiritual Home
Homecoming of the Danilov Bells: A Spiritual Odyssey