Bellfoundry Grassmayr

Bellfoundry Grassmayr casts bells and has continued this craft since 1599. Its bell work is based on specially developed rib shapes and calculations that coordinate partial tones, striking tone and reverberation within individual bells and multi-bell chimes. The product offering also includes individually tuned concert bells, major and minor bells, orchestra bowls, sounding plates, and sound installations formed from bells, plates and bowls. Sounding plates are made in two-octave and three-octave tunings, allowing multiple pitches to be played according to the striking position. The company uses brass and steel for sounding plates, while its bell work draws on bronze alloy knowledge.

The foundry combines traditional casting craftsmanship with continuing experimentation, scientific research cooperation and the transfer of bell-calculation knowledge between generations. Its production process for large bells includes making the core, false bell and mantle before casting. A CREDAMUS bell cast for Magdeburg Cathedral has a nominal pitch of D0, a diameter of 293.2 cm and an approximate weight of 14,100 kg. Concert instruments are used by orchestras, and sounding plates are heard at the Munich Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Gewandhaus Leipzig, Hamburg State Theatre, Festspielhaus Erl and the Qatar Opera House. The business also realizes commissioned artistic sound installations for institutional settings.