The Zimbelstern (Meaning "Cymbal Star" in
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
, also spelled Cymbelstern, Zymbelstern, or Cimbalstern), is a "toy"
organ stop
An organ stop is a component of a pipe organ that admits pressurized air (known as ''wind'') to a set of organ pipes. Its name comes from the fact that stops can be used selectively by the organist; each can be "on" (admitting the passage of air ...
consisting of a metal or wooden star or wheel on which several small
bells are mounted. When engaged, the star rotates, producing a continuous tinkling sound. It was common in northern
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
,
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
in particular, throughout the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. After about 1700, the bells were tuned to particular notes.
The device is probably most effective as a foil to light Baroque
counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more musical lines (or voices) which are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and melodic contour. It has been most commonly identified in the European classical tradi ...
of an upbeat nature, or
hymn
A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' ...
s registered using a bright principal chorus. In some Christian liturgical traditions, it is rung during the singing of the
Sanctus
The Sanctus ( la, Sanctus, "Holy") is a hymn in Christian liturgy. It may also be called the ''epinikios hymnos'' ( el, ἐπινίκιος ὕμνος, "Hymn of Victory") when referring to the Greek rendition.
In Western Christianity, the ...
or on doxological stanzas of hymns.
External links
More complete description of the ZimbelsternZimbelstern demonstration video with audio; Harm Dieder Kirschner's organ in the Evangelical Lutheran Island Church in Norderney, East Frisia, Lower Saxony
Organ stops
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