This video presents the bells c#1 -c#1 -e1 -f#1 -g#1 -h1 ~c#2 ~d#2 (-h2) [do#3 -do#3 -mi3 -fa#3 -si#3 -h3 ~do#4 ~re#4 (-si4)] as one of the most historically significant peals in the region from the St Margarethen church. A peal of bells from the "travelling foundry period" is complemented by modern instruments from Heidelberg and two identical bells from Strasbourg.
➥ The oldest bell in St Margarethen is one of the largest surviving bells from this period. The "Osanna" [1], cast by Master Georg (Joerg) Guntheim of Strasbourg in a particularly heavy shape, is a fantastic instrument of the time. Four bells by the travelling founder Ignaz Thouvenel [6+7+8+IX] are some time younger and yet older than the church building. These bells were cast in 1698.
In 1769, an existing, larger bell between the smaller bells and the Osanna had presumably become damaged. The Strasbourg master Matthäus Edel made the replacement with the bell [2]. Interestingly, this bell is almost identical in pitch to the large Osanna.
The historic bells miraculously survived the war in their entirety.
In 1956, however, the existing historic bells were no longer harmonious enough. The decision was therefore taken to remove the historic bells, apart from the Osanna, and replace them with modern bells from the Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling foundry. Five new bells [3+4+5+VI+VII] were cast in a particularly heavy bell shape. The historic bells were delivered to chapels to compensate for war losses, and the bell from Edel [2] was placed in front of the church.
Until 2003, the small historic bells [6] were transferred to the St Vitus Chapel in Siegelau and the bell [8] to the Carolus Chapel. The bell [7] was initially hung in St Pius' Chapel, but was eventually removed when it cracked.
The restoration of this bell was used to complete the historic peal of 1698 in St Margarethen and to retrieve the other bells from the chapels. The Schilling bells [VI+VII] took their place in the chapels.
The bell [2] by Matthäus Edel was also reintroduced into the peal. Today, six historical instruments can be heard in St Margarethen. The smallest bell [IX] hangs in the tower lantern and is not usually part of the peal.
The ringing impression is characterised by the historic bells and especially the pitch between the two large instruments. An unrivalled sound impression! The great Osanna clearly sets the tone.