This video presents the bells e1 -g1 -a1 (h1) [mi3 -sol3 -la3 (si3)] of St. John parish church in Vilsingen near Inzigkofen.
One of the first post-war peals from the Grüninger foundry, which set up in Neu-Ulm in 1948, hangs in Vilsingen. Almost exactly ten years after the foundry had been forcibly expropriated by the National Socialists in Villingen, bells were once again being cast in Neu - Ulm.
The bells in Vilsingen from the end of 1948 are special. Not only are they bells made of normal bell bronze, they are also one of the few bells that were produced in the "heavy shape" of this foundry at that time.
The bells are not all convincing due to the year they were cast. Whilst the two small bells still sound quite bad and sharp, the two large ones are relatively beautiful examples that can still keep up with the foundry's later works. A remarkable casting achievement for 1948!
During the major church renovation from 2016, the bell system was also overhauled. The smallest bell [4] was decommissioned due to a lack of space after the overhaul, but also due to its inferior tonal properties. Although it still hangs in the belfry, it no longer has a clapper and can no longer be rung.
The ringing has not necessarily lost any of its tonal qualities due to the loss of the small bell. The chime can be heard briefly at 6:55 on the hour. Due to its historical significance, however, it would certainly be desirable to reactivate the smallest bell at some point.
At the time of the recording, the bell [3] had also been defective for some time. Fortunately, it could be reactivated by rope for this recording. However, the full ringing of today's bells can currently only be simulated.