Petit and Fritsen (Dutch) Handbells

Petit and Fritsen bells - MP3 recordings.
Petit & Fritsen bells
Petit & Fritsen's.

Petit and Fritsen bells - MP3 recordings.

Here are four selections from a vinyl recording I have where the musicians performed on Petit and Fritsen handbells. I chose the first two because they were shorter and had no major mistakes (they were a Junior High group). I chose the last two because people have said that the tone of the bells lend themselves to pieces writen in a minor key.

File Size	Playing Time	Name
1.95 MB	2:02	Bell Joyance
2.60 MB	2:42	Prelude and Etude for Handbells - Part 2
4.74 MB	4:57	Carillons
5.54 MB	5:46	Introduction and Allegro

----- liner notes -----

Ringing in Harmony
across the world
Lake Burien Handbell Choir
Dr. Paul B. Oncley, Director

The Lake Burien Handbell Choir was organized in 1965 as part of the music ministry of the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church by Dr. Paul Oncley, director of music. It has proved to be a popular part of the youth program. Their first extensive tour in 1973 took them over 4000 miles in Western U.S.A. from Boise, Idaho to San Diego, California, including a week at the National A.G.E.H.R. Festival in Tempe, Arizona, concerts at Disneyland and in thirteen churches across the far west, besides visits to Grand Canyon, Yosemite Park and other scenic places. In June of 1974 they played at the World's Fair, EXPO '74, in Spokane, Washington.
Their first overseas trip in July and August 1974 is part of an ecumenical mission of good will sponsored jointly by Catholic and Presbyterian churches of the Seattle area. The bell group is participating along with the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra of the University Presbyterian church of Seattle, under Dr. William Clarke, with Rev. Richard Langford of the University Church and Father Joseph Fulton, O.P., pastor of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, in a group of special services in great Catholic and Protestant churches of Ireland and Scotland. In addition, the Lake Burien Handbell Choir will play a series of concerts and worship services in England, Ireland, Scotland and Holland.
Members of the Lake Burien Handbell Choir include Janet Bender, Cathy, Charles and Sally Culpepper, Laurie Dieterich, Ronald and Shelly Ebbers, Claudia and Sandra Fay, Dayle Hite, Jannine Jennings, Kevin O'Boyle, Fred Smith and Kathleen Wheeler, Dr. Alma Oncley, organist of Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church of Seattle, assists at the Schlicker organ. The complete set of 61 bells, a mermorial gift of the Randal Schmoyer family, was cast by Petit and Fritsen in Holland.

International Tour Program - 1974

Side one: Side Two:

Fanfare for Bells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McCleary     Prelude and Etude for Handbells . . . . . Butler
Introduction and Allegro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allured     *Voluntary on "Forest Green" . . . . . D. Wood
Bell Joyance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorenz     *Ah, Holy Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Zabel
Carillons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Langlais     *All Glory, Laud and Honor . . . . . arr. Zabel
Medley from "The Sound of Music . . Rodgers-Stephens     *From All That Dwell . . . . . . . . . . arr. Zabel
Amazing Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. P. Oncley     Bell Jubilee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorenz
(Sandra Fay, guitar)

*with organ
Glenn White, recording engineer
Recorded in the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle.

Petit and Fritsen's web site can be found at http://www.petit-fritsen.nl/

Petit & Fritsen bells

Bill Ingram wrote:

I think I have seen Petit and Fritsen bells maybe once in my life and then just barely... I hear they are quite different from most of the bells being used today in the USA. Would you please tell us about them? Jack Kearns (jkearns@gabn.net) replied:

P & F bells are tuned with the first harmonic (I think) to a minor third. I understand that is the tuning of most tower bells. English and American handbells are tuned to the major 10th.

The series of harmonics (partials, overtones) are quite different and cause weird sounds with massive chords. Single note melodies, some harmonies sound good. The bells, IMHO, sound better outdoors rather than in a closed area.

Needless to say, P & F bells are not compatible with American/English bells. However, we have used them in the balcony as an antiphonal choir, making a delightful echo. Some groups, like Jim Salzwedel's, and I believe the Raleigh Ringers, use them in alternating selections, or a melody over American bell accompaniment for effect.

For a while, P & F bells (new) were not available, but I understand they are advertising again. Don't have a source, but if I find out, I'll drop a note to the list.

Like the lady who said when asked to expound on the gossip she had just related, "I've already told you more than I heard," but if you want more, contact me, and I'll make it sound interesting.

Jerry Olson (olson@ra.cgd.ucar.EDU) added:

The pamphlet I have which describes the "unique" quality of P&F overtones goes on to say: "This complex series of overtones is what produces that 'ringing sound' - like the best of tower bells - rich in color and wild sonority... [NOT an overstatement by any means]

They recommend: "most effective in large reverberant buildings"

The above was posted on BELLTALK and was not archived.

Petit & Fritsen's.

In answer to a thread, When did you start with bells? Vicky Vandervort said:

     > 1966 in Charles City, Iowa on a new set of Petit Fritsen bells.

Linda Lamb asked:

     > Question: do Petit Fritsen bells look new when they're realy new?

Vicky vandevort replied:

     > In 1985 & now ringing Malmark bells. Vicky had Two thoughts:

     > 1/  The Malmark bells are shinier and they sound better!

     > 2/  Maybe the castings on P&F's aren't polished, did any one know?

In answer to the latter, and Linda,

Pitit & Fritsen castings did look new when new, but only because of the freshly machined metal, they did not appear to smooth out the machining marks from tuning, which had to be allowed for in the tuning, & they showed very little signs of being polished, but bare in mind that P&f's were far cheaper to buy, & in the late 60's & 70's the Whitechapel foundry had about a 3 year waiting list for handbells, while P&f's were only weeks.

Many teams around that time, bought P&F's whilst waiting for bells to arive from other foundries orders, then the P&F's were either sold on, or laid up, if you know of any you could reply to my add placed earlier this week. In answer to Vickys 1st thought:

Petit & Fritsen tuned there bells harmonics to a minor third similar to church tower bells, unlike other handbell manufacturers, who tuned to perfect 12th, well lets say should be perfect.

P&F's when played sound very different quite a sad sound, and do not realy lend themselves to bright & cheerful music, nor do they blend with traditional bells in massed ringing, but do sound quite interesting playing music that is in the minor key.

Here in the UK in the 1970's Philip Bedford's team's The Windscape Ringers, & Bedford Family. selected some very suitable peices for these bells, "Song of the Volga Boatmen" to name just one.

A small plus for P&F's is that there sound does travel far beter outdoors unlike traditional bells,

Finaly if you havent seen it there is an interesting artical in the web pages under: "Handbells & Handchimes Frequently asked questions." see table of contents, click Bells & manufacturers. then click "What is a Petit & Fritsen Handbell"

Hope this has been of interest,

Ian Hayes.
mellsbells@onetel.net.uk
23 Jan 2003

Archived original can be found at: Petit & Fritsen's.