Imagine - First Performance on Tower Bells

This performance of John Lennon's 'Imagine' was the first ever on Tower (Church) Bells. It was performed in May 2009 on the bells of Liverpool Anglican Cathdral. The original video ("Imagine: Liverpool Cathedral Bells - All the Action! ") was produced and uploaded at the time but with now having the capability to upload in HD, the source material has been re-processed at this higher quality. The concept was the original idea of artist Cleo Evans while the performers were all Liverpool ringers, led by their Conductor, Sam Austin.
More recently (September 2011) Imagine was performed on the bells of Exeter Cathedral, the band including two of the ringers featured here.
The main reason for this new version is the possible increased public interest following the recent (December 2011) performance of Greensleeves by Tower and Handbell ringers in Cambridge, broadcast on BBC4. In that programme, it appeared that the method adopted ('clocking' using a bell rope attached to each bell's clapper) was claimed to be a first in such a performance. No, Liverpool was first!

[@cristianferraris__]

Fantastic! 😍 These bells are the best of the England and the As° is my favorite bell and it is very very beautiful.

[@Ben-uj6qk]

The clappers must be very heavy to pull! Brilliant coordination between eachother. Hope you do more like this

[@RiccardoRivi]

yes, i pulled an 83kg clapper by feet and it's heavy

[@RingerPeter]

I don't get how it works even though I am a ringer.

[@ringerowen4039]

@@RingerPeter they connect the clappers to rope add an extra pulley optionally and the rope is only pulled at hand stroke but not actually swung if you get what I mean

[@RingerPeter]

@@ringerowen4039 ah OK thanks.

[@toastedbutter4316]

@@RingerPeter they would unhinge the ropw from the wheel but keep it attached they would then wrap it around the clapper and it creates a slant on the clapper almost like on a carillion they would then pull it towrars the rim of the bell

[@Steven_Rowe]

What I find really interesting is for the first time you can actually hear what these bells sound like.
I think it needs to be acknowledged that bells are to towers what guitar strings are to an acoustic guitar.
The strings are only as good as the guitar body.
Sadly the belfry at Liverpool is an acoustic disaster that could be fixed with bucket loads of £££££££££££££££
The frame is concrete, the floor is concrete and the belfry is massive.
Often wondered how it could be fixed.
I think a ceiling over the top of Great George would help, perhaps some rubber matting on the floor.
Also think the ringing room should be enclosed.
As it stands the bells just roar and I would !lovs to hear them.
If I,win a huge some of money I will pay for it.
Sadly that isn't going to happen as I,don't gamble.
The bells at Liverpool Peirhead sound better, they are good bells in a good tower.

[@lucxlucx-it1ms]

it's so beutiful

[@cammontag]

Very very nice!!!

[@alainbiondi9771]

CHE BELLE! BRAVI!! DAVVERO I MIEI COMPLIMENTI!

[@hisbasat]

2:07

[@haslinabdulhamid5787]

Which bell is he ringing?

[@silviaruhsen4666]

Hard to.move tower's bells