(Ger. Stahlspiel; militär-Glockenspiel).
A portable glockenspiel in lyre form designed for the use of marching bands. It is classified as an ‘idiophone: set of percussion plaques’. In the latter half of the 19th century the glockenspiel became a feature in German military bands. Originally the instrument consisted of a row of metal cups (later, steel bars) mounted in a pyramid on an upright rod held in one hand of the player, while the other held the beater. The bars (usually 15) were arranged in a single row and were detachable for key changes. Later instruments, with a compass of two or more octaves arranged in two or more rows mounted on a lyre-shaped frame, were supported from the shoulder. When ‘fully dressed’ the instrument bore the traditional horse-tail plumes. Its form is surely inspired by the Turkish crescent.
The modern bell-lyra, with its bars of steel or alloy arranged keyboard fashion with the ‘black’ notes to the player’s left, is often similarly adorned. A typical instrument has a compass of two octaves, and continues to be associated with marching bands. A rare instance of its use as an orchestral instrument occurs in Britten’s church opera The Burning Fiery Furnace (1966).
JAMES BLADES