Since very few of the people with perfect pitch, and who heard the original bells, have survived the past 200+ years, how, exactly, do they know the pitch of those bells? Do the French have precise engineering drawings of the bells and know the exact alloy used for them? Perhaps, if they did, software could be written to approximate their sound. Interesting question for a Wednesday morning.....
You can see historical drawings of the original bells in the first YouTube video posted above. They are part of a documentary that begins around the 20 minute mark.
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Charles Platiau / Reuters
A craftsman covers the cope of a bell mold made from clay, horse-dung and horse-hair, as he works to produce bronze bells ordered at the French foundry Cornille Havard in Villedieu-les-Poeles in Normandy on Oct. 17.
Charles Platiau / Reuters
Stephane Mouton cleans and inspects the bronze bell 'Maurice' after removing the mold at the French bell foundry Cornille Havard.
Charles Platiau / Reuters
Craftsman Stephane Mouton cleans and inspects the bronze bell 'Maurice' after removing the mold at the French bell foundry Cornille Havard.
Charles Platiau / Reuters
Craftsman Stephane Mouton looks at 'Maurice', a bronze bell which is lifted from the pit at the French bell foundry Cornille Havard.
Charles Platiau / Reuters