Pieter and François Hemony

Hemony

1294-Amsterdam

Zutphen, de Wijnhuistoren RM41486 IMG 5575 2018-07-15 08.57

Nieuwe toren, Kampen

Pieter and François Hemony were renowned 17th-century bell founders from the Netherlands, famous for their development and refinement of the carillon, a musical instrument consisting of tuned bronze bells played using a keyboard. The Hemony brothers are credited with casting some of the finest carillons in Europe, significantly improving the musical quality and tuning of bells.

Early Life and Career

Pieter Hemony (1619–1680) and François Hemony (1609–1667) were born in Lorraine, a region that now lies in modern-day France. They moved to the Netherlands in the early 1640s, where they started their bell foundry in Zutphen. The Hemony brothers were not only skilled in the art of bell casting but also in the science of bell tuning, which was a relatively unknown field at the time.

Innovations in Bell Founding

The Hemony brothers are credited with the invention of the modern carillon, which was a significant advancement in the field of bell music. Before their work, bells were typically used to ring simple melodies or signal the time. The Hemony brothers introduced a method of precise tuning that allowed for the casting of bells in a complete chromatic series, enabling the performance of complex musical compositions.

Their method involved adjusting the thickness of the bell walls and the shape of the bell to achieve a pure tone and the correct pitch. This innovation made the Hemony brothers' carillons highly sought after across Europe.

Major Works

Among their most notable works is the carillon in the Belfry of Ghent, which was installed in 1659. This carillon, consisting of 52 bells, is considered one of their masterpieces and still plays to this day. They also created significant carillons for the cities of Amsterdam, Leiden, and Utrecht, among others.

Legacy

The Hemony brothers' contribution to the field of bell casting and carillon music cannot be overstated. They set a standard for bell purity and musicality that influenced generations of bell founders. Their work represents a high point in the art of bell casting, combining technical innovation with musical excellence.

The legacy of Pieter and François Hemony lives on in the numerous carillons across Europe that still ring out with the clear, melodious tones achieved through their pioneering methods. They are remembered not only as master craftsmen but also as artists who added a rich layer to the musical heritage of the Renaissance period.

See Also

• Carillon
• Bell
• Belfry of Ghent
• Renaissance music