Glockenspiel

It is believed that the Porcelain glockenspiel was placed in the Sophientor on the 6th December 1933; it had been presented to the press for the first time in 1930 during the hygiene exhibition.
Since then the pavilion has also been known as the Glockenspiel Pavilion. The Glockenspiel played different melodies every day at midday. Between 1933 and 1935 a simple monumental clock was added to the glockenspiel.

In 1723 the city pavilion was finished (glockenspiel pavilion) along with the adjoining vaulted gallery and including the sculptural works. In 1732 all building works were stopped in the Zwinger. It was only in 1783 that building works recommenced. The herms and coats of arms on the gables of the city pavilion, the faun consoles of the arch gallery on the city side and the groups of figures on the city side of the pavillion were made. In 1849 the pavillion group on the city side was heavily damaged by fire. From 1924 to 1936 Hubert Ermisch carried out conservation work on the Zwinger.
The Anglo American aerial bombardment on the 13th February 1945 brought severe damage to the Zwinger. Reconstruction work started that year. In 1965 reconstruction work was completed. Mechanical closure of the control and facilities technology, defective hangings and partial damage to the bells meant that it was necessary to carry out restoration work in 1993. This reconstruction was completed on the 12th April 1995.

Today every quarter, half and full hour the glockenspiel plays the chime composed by Professor Günter Schwarze (especially for the Dresden glockenspiel, 1994). It plays a selection of popular melodies which change with the season.

Annual programme Dresden Zwinger

melodies from the Meissener Porcelain Glockenspiel

Spring

10:15 a.m.: Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
"Spring" from the "Four Seasons"

02:15 p.m.: Carl Maria von Weber (1786 - 1826)
"Wir winden Dir den Jungfernkranz" from "Der Freischütz"

06:15 p.m.: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
2. movement from "Eine kleine Nachtmusik"

Summer

10:15 a.m.: Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
"Summer" from the "Four Seasons"

02.15 p.m.: Johann Adolf Hasse (1699 – 1783)
"Contretanz" (original for violin und continur)

06:15 p.m. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
"Üb immer Treu und Redlichkeit" melodies from "The Magic Flute"

10:15 p.m.: "Kein schöner Land"

Autumn

10:15 a.m.: Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
"Autumn" from the "Four Seasons"

02:15 p.m.: Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883)
"Matrosenchor" from "The Flying Dutchman"

06.15 p.m.: Carl Maria von Weber (1786 - 1826)
"Jägerchor" from the "Freischütz"

Winter

10:15 a.m.: Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
"Winter" from the "Four Seasons"

02.15 p.m.: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
"Pastorale" from "Weihnachtsoratorium"

06:15 p.m.: Englebert Humperdinck (1854 – 1921)
"Abendsegen" from "Hansel and Gretel"

The glockenspiel does not play from the 6th January up until the Wednesday before Maundy Thursday