Celesta

The celesta (IPA [səˈlɛstə] or [tʃəˈlɛstə]), sometimes spelled celeste, is a keyboard musical instrument found in symphony orchestras. The keys on the celesta are connected to rods which strike metal bars similar to those found on the glockenspiel. It also usually has wooden resonators.

Some notable musical works featuring the celesta:

• "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy", from The Nutcracker ballet, composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• "That's It For The Other One" by The Grateful Dead
• Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, composed by Béla Bartók
• The title theme of the Harry Potter films, composed by John Williams
• Bjork uses this instrument in her album "Vespertine" (2001)

In his landmark album Brilliant Corners, jazz musician Thelonious Monk used to great effect a celesta casually found in the recording studio, playing it alongside his regular piano in the song Pannonica.

Compare with:

• glockenspiel
• Rhodes piano