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The '''celesta''' or '''celeste''' is an unusual instrument with a piano-like keyboard, and a sound like the tinkling of small bells. It is a standard instrument of the symphony orchestra, although it is used in only a relatively small number of compositions.  

A '''celesta''' or '''celeste''' ([[France|French]]: ''heavenly'') is a percussion instrument with a piano-like keyboard, connected to hammers which strike a graduated set of steel plates suspended over wooden resonators. When struck, the plates give a very pure, bell-like sound very similar to that of the [[glockenspiel]], but with a softer tone quality. A foot pedal is used to sustain or dampen the sound.

The instrument saw its debut in what may be the most familiar use of the celesta is in the ''Dance of the Sugar-plum Fairies,'' in Tschaikovsky's ''Nutcracker'' ballet and suite. Another is Bartók's ''Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta.''

Invented in [[Paris]] in 1889 by Auguste Mustel, the first known use of the instrument in a symphonic work for full orchestra is [[Pyotr Tchaikovsky|Tchaikovsky's]] ''The Voyevoda'' (1891); the following year he used it again for his ballet ''The Nutcracker'' (1892), notably in the "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy", perhaps the most widely recognized use of the instrument.

Like other bell-like instruments, it is a part of the percussion section, but is usually played by a pianist rather than percussionist.

Like other [[metallophone]]s, it is a part of the percussion section, but is usually played by a pianist rather than percussionist.

[[Category:Musical Instrument]]

[[Category:Musical Instrument]]