Carillon

Carillon, musical instrument, usually permanently set in a bell-tower, consisting of a series of bells on which melodies and simple harmonies are played from a keyboard and pedal console much like that of an organ. Some carillons are played automatically by a pegged rotating drum that operates the bell clappers or hammers. Modern instruments are electrically operated, and some do not have cast bells, but are completely electronic. Carillons originated in the Low Countries, and the old cities of Belgium and Holland have many notable examples, the oldest being the 24-bell carillon (1554) at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.