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K e l l y   Z u e r c h e r

C e l e s t a

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The Celesta is operated by a keyboard. The "c" can be pronounced as an "s" or "ch".  Its appearance is similar to that of an upright piano. The keys are connected to hammers which strike a graduated set of metal (usually steel) plates suspended over wooden resonators. One pedal is available to sustain or dampen the sound. Probably the most well-known work for the celesta is Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" from The Nutcracker.  The sound of the celesta is akin to that of the glockenspiel, but with a much softer timbre. This quality gave rise to the instrument's name, celeste meaning "heavenly" in French.