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hadrianjeffs | 12:50 Sat 10th Jan 2009 | Quizzes & Puzzles
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is it CELESTE or CELESTA? I've always used the former for the percussion instrument, but most dictionaries give the latter spelling?
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celesta
celesta
-- answer removed --
Either spelling should be acceptable.
The celesta or celeste is a struck idiophone operated by a keyboard. Its appearance is similar to that of an upright piano (four- or five-octave) or of a large wooden music box (three-octave). The keys are connected to hammers which strike a graduated set of metal (usually steel) plates suspended over wooden resonators. One pedal is usually available to sustain or dampen the sound, on four or five octave models. The three-octave instruments do not have a pedal, due to their small "table-top" design. One of the most well-known works that makes use of 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 and more subtle timbre. This quality gave rise to the instrument's name, celeste meaning "heavenly" in French.

It is perfectly okay as either spelling celesta or celeste. Really enjoyed your wonderful snippett of information 08012006, too, bless you :-)

Warm wishes on a very cold day, Bea :-)

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