His loosely clasped fists striking the batons and his black shoes dancing on the pedals, French carillonneur Stefano Colletti filled the air with the sounds of the bells of Beaumont Tower.
Colletti's recital, which included the music of Bach, Satie and his own improvisations, was one in the Muelder International Summer Carillon Recital Series.
A carillon is a musical instrument with at least two octaves of bells played from a clavier, a series of batons arranged like a keyboard that one plays with both hands and feet. The clavier controls the clappers inside Beaumont Tower's 49 bells.
Former MSU faculty member Milton Muelder established an endowment in 1996 to bring carillonneurs from all around the world to play the bells of Beaumont.
"I wanted a wonderful series that went on in perpetuity," said Muelder, adding that he has attended every recital. "It adds another marvelous element of music and particularly music that is varied."
This year's series features carillonneurs from France, the Netherlands and Portugal. Colletti, from the French town of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, said he has been playing the carillon for more than 15 years.
Colletti, who became interested in the carillon from one of his first piano teachers, is currently on a two-week tour throughout the United States, but this is the fifth time he has played in the United States. He played at Beaumont in 2001 and also has played in Spain, the Netherlands, Germany and his home in France.
Each carillon has different spacing between the batons and number of bells, so Colletti said he alters each musical piece for each carillon.
"It's interesting because you actually can't play without changing the piano score," he said. "In the beginning, one of the most difficult things is (learning) to adapt."
"If you really want to use the instrument, you must improvise and change things."
Beaumont Tower's carillon bells, many of which came during the tower's renovation in 1996, range from 15 pounds to more than two and a half tons. The size of the bells helps the sound carry over long distances, and Colletti said it's hard to appreciate the sound of the instrument from inside the tower.
"Distance is important to feel the sound and beauty of the carillon," he said.
University carillonneur Ray McLellan, who plays the instrument weekly during the school year, said the carillon is in an ideal location for everyone to enjoy.
"The setting is wonderful," he said. "You're not in an auditorium. You're out in nature listening."
Colletti said the carillon is different because it takes the music to the people even though they can't see him as he plays.
"The carillon is nice because you can play it for the people," he said.
East Lansing resident Rhonda Tubben attended Colletti's recital and climbed the 73 stairs to watch him perform. She said she enjoyed the recital, and Beaumont Tower provided a relaxing setting for the music.
"I have always loved the Beaumont Tower," she said, adding that she thought Colletti's performance was really beautiful. "It's amazing that people are still doing that as an art."
The summer recital series is scheduled for 6 p.m. every Wednesday until Aug. 3.
