by Ilse Romahn
(18.12.2020) Nobody has to do without the Frankfurt tradition on Christmas Eve, because the big city bells will be broadcast on Radio Frankfurt from 4.30 p.m. on FM 95.1, DAB + or in the live stream.
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Mayor and head of the church, Uwe Becker, and Stephan Schwenk, managing directors at Radio Frankfurt, are making the special and unique sound experience sound on the radio for the first time.
“I hope that we will be able to give a part of their Christmas tradition to many Frankfurters and all fans of the big city bells,” said Becker. “As every year, I am always particularly looking forward to the appointment. Unfortunately we had to cancel the big city bells on site this year in order not to lure too many people into the old town and on the Römerberg in times of Corona. All the better that we can now experience this sound experience, which is unique in Germany, together on Radio Frankfurt and thus usher in the Christmas holidays. “
“We at Radio Frankfurt are delighted to be able to bring the traditional big city bells into the living room of the people of Frankfurt during these times. For all of Frankfurt this is a ritual that unfortunately cannot take place open air due to the corona due to the ten inner-city churches. So on Christmas Eve at 4.30 p.m., turn on Radio Frankfurt on FM 95.1, DAB + or the live stream and get in the mood for Christmas with the family, ”says Stephan Schwenk, managing director of the station.
The first ringing of all Frankfurt bells is known from the year 1347, at the funeral of Emperor Ludwig IV. Later the bells were rung at all coronations. In May 1856, the Senate of the Free City of Frankfurt decided to ring bells for Christmas, Easter and Whitsun. Today’s composition goes back to the Mainz bell expert Professor Paul Smets, who composed the bell in 1954. The “Citizen Bell” of the Paulskirche marks the beginning, followed by the Katharinenkirche at the Hauptwache, the Liebfrauenkirche, the Peterskirche and the Heiliggeistkirche at the Dominican monastery. The bells of the Leonhardskirche, the bells of the church at the Karmeliterkloster, as well as those of the old Nikolaikirche on the Römerberg and the five bells of the southernmost inner city church, the Dreikönigskirche on the Sachsenhausen Mainufer, add to the interplay.
“The bells of the inner city churches are very different and each one is a work of art in itself. Together they form a touching sequence of sounds, ”says Becker. “Even if these are recordings, maybe the big city bells can still create a special sense of togetherness if we all experience it together on the radio. With this special offer, we would also like to make those people happy who may not be able to use online access. I thank Radio Frankfurt for this cooperation, ”says the head of the church.
In addition, the Big City Bell is also online http://www.frankfurt.de as well as on the city’s Facebook page on Christmas Eve from 4.30 p.m. Ten churches with a total of 50 bells are perfectly coordinated and then form the sound of Frankfurt online.
All fans of the big city bells can also purchase the experience on CD. Bauer Studios have produced the CD “Frankfurt am Main: Glocken, Glockenspiel, Großes Stadtgeläut”. The CD can be bought in the Cathedral Museum, for example. (ffm)
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