A Melodic Emblem Falls Out of Tune

[rug]

By MAÏA de la BAUME
Published: October 18, 2011

PARIS — Since 1856, the four major bells atop the northern towers of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame have rung every 15 minutes, without fail. They rang for the end of World War I and the liberation of Paris in 1944. Most recently, they chimed in honor of the victims of 9/11.

Since 1856, the bells atop the northern towers have rung every 15 minutes, without fail.
They even have names, taken from various French saints: Angélique-Françoise, Antoinette-Charlotte, Hyacinthe-Jeanne and Denise-David.

Nevertheless, in 2012 they will be melted down and replaced by nine new ones, intended to recreate the sound of Notre-Dame’s original 17th-century bells.

The replacement of the bells, which is mentioned without fanfare on a placard inside the church, has caused a small but very Parisian ruckus. Some consider the 19th-century bells unrivaled witnesses to French history, made famous by Victor Hugo’s “Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” and an indestructible part of French heritage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/world/europe/in-paris-bells-at-notre-dame-will-be-replaced.html

Audio of the bells at the link.

[Jim__]

1. Should I find an audio of the old bells at the link?

I only found an audio of the new bells.

[rug]

2. My mistake