Sunday, December 21, 2008

The Sound of Champagne Bubbles?

If a music could embody the sound of champagne bubbles popping, what would it sound like? Driving around shopping this weekend, I heard a report on National Public Radio's Weekend America about a musical instrument called the celesta (pronounced chel-esta).

It sounded like a cross between a cello and I-don't-know-what, but its an upright instrument created in France that resembles a piano but sounds like a magical xylophone. We hear celesta music this time of year in Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

It's also that sweet tinkly sound in Buddy Holly's Everyday.

I love this sound, but what caught my attention is that a listener from Massachusetts wrote in to say that she imagines the celesta must be what popping champagne bubbles sound like. Listen to the NPR piece and see if you agree.

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