History of Classical Grandfather Clock Chimes

by: Michael O'Brien

Anyone who has owned a tall case clock such as a grandfather or grandmother clock has come to love the classical beauty of its tolling chimes. The classic chimes that toll from many grandfather clocks have roots in the history of classical music. Though many of us are familiar with these beautiful melodies without really knowing much about how they originated. There are a variety of grandfather clock chimes though there are several that have become standard favorites of grandfather clock owners and clockmakers alike.

Parts of the clocks movement, the chimes or tubular bells are struck by hammers at very precise intervals to create the desired melody. Quite a few makers of grandfather and other tall case clocks use movements that feature more than one chime tone, giving owners a choice to change the chime. Some grandfather and other long case designs may use just a simple, repetitious chime to mark the hour and half hour segments and multiple chime movements are typically more expensive.

Most standard grandfather clock movements utilize either a twelve or a sixteen chime design configuration and the twelve chime arrangement are more common. Grandfather clocks with multiple chime designs make use of several familiar and historic melodies.

The Westminster Chime

Taken from the historic clock tower at the Palace of Westminster in London, the Westminster chime is widely used in grandfather clocks. The bell at the Palace of Westminster has tolled, with very few exceptions, since 1859. Known in popular culture as Big Ben, the clock is the biggest four-face chiming clock in the world. Weighing thirteen tons, the bell is the largest bell ever cast.

The chimes and the great bell ring out the melody that has become known simply as Westminster. As most famous clock chime melody in the world, this beautiful melody was quickly adopted by chime clockmakers. There are many variations of this famous melody often with some minor changes in rhythm and pitch.

Whittington

Known as the Bow Bells, the origins of the Whittington clock chime are said to be older than the Westminster chimes. The Church of Saint Mary Le Bow, located in the Cheapside area of London, has been home to the bells since 1392. The Cheapside area was heavy damaged by bombings during World War Two but the church, and the bells, survived.

Ave Maria

Written by the classical composer Franz Schubert, Ave Maria was part of a larger musical work. Grandfather clock chimes of Ave Maria follow the melody of this beautiful song. Long a favorite operatic singers and church choirs, Ave Maria is one of the most loved and recognizable melodies in the world.

Saint Michaels

Unlike other popular grandfather clock chimes, the chimes of Saint Michaels have roots in the New World. A small church in South Carolina is home the bells that were originally cast in England in the 1760s. The steeple of Saint Michaels Church in the city of Charleston, South Carolina has been home to bells since 1867.

The British Army captured the city of Charleston during the Revolutionary War. As the spoils of war, the British removed the bells from the church and sent them back to England. When the hostilities ended, arrangements were made to send the bells back to Saint Michaels. After cracks were discovered in the early 1820’s, the bells were sent back to London to be recast.

In spite of attempts to hide them, the bells were destroyed by the Union Army during the American Civil War. Once again, the bells were recast in England and a new set were shipped back to Charleston in 1867.

About the Author

Michael O'Brien is Staff Writer for Grandfather Clock Sale.com