Study 2 - Celeste and Glockenspiel is Magical

After some observation, the use of the instrument Celeste and Glockenspiel is very common in a fantasy setting either to evoke a mysterious or whimsical feeling. They are featured in many video games soundtrack and film soundtracks. I will list a few of them here.

Celeste: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker is one of the famous examples. In The Planets by Gustav Holst, the celeste is featured in Neptune the Mystic.

Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Pure Imagination


Alice: Madness Returns - Mystery Ambiance


Venus and the Braves, Waltz For Ariah.



Glockenspiel:
The glockenspiel has a brighter tone compared to the celesta. 

The Carnival of Animals, Aquarium (9:24)


Final Fantasy XIII: Lake Bresha


Tales of the Abyss: The Silvery Snowland, Keterburg

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Reflecting upon what I heard, I realize they are used to depict cold or snowy places and weather as well because of their bell-like sound and high pitched notes. They can add a shimmery quality to a piece.
They are also easily confused with each other. The major difference between them is: the glockenspiel can really penetrate through the orchestra because of its brilliant tone, while the celeste's tone is mellower and rounder. If an orchestra does not have a celeste, it is commonly replaced by the piano rather than a glockenspiel because of the technique involved. Celeste's playing technique is similar to the piano but the tone is similar to the glockenspiel.




After thought
The glockenspiel can also be used in a contrasting way, such as this:
Hetalia Character song: Russia- Winter



Online video references:
1. Sabkay71 (Aug 15, 2011) BBC's Proms Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter [video online]. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTXBLyp7_Dw [Accessed 15 Dec 2013]
2. FanOingo93 (Oct 9, 2013) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - London Cast - Pure Imagination [video online]. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVTLIz_6UWE [Accessed 15 Dec 2013]
3. Alice Liddell (Apr 13, 2013) Alice: Madness Returns Unreleased OST - Mystery Ambiance (IV - Loop) [HQ] [video online]. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6gQl1zdGog [Accessed 15 Dec 2013]
4. memememegu (Dec 13, 2007) Venus&Braves music 「Waltz For Ariah」 [video online]. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kasULP4u3lg [Accessed 15 Dec 2013]
5. Marko Pletikosa (Feb 8, 2012) Camille Saint-Saëns - The Carnival Of Animals - Complete & LiVe [video online]. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBGEf4urGNo [Accessed 15 Dec 2013]
6. ptimistjavisst (Mar 19, 2010) Final Fantasy XIII - Lake Bresha (OST) [video online]. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsXGDHcbW1o [Accessed 15 Dec 2013]
7. terribletomato (Nov 5, 2008) Tales of the Abyss OST - The Silvery Snowland - Keterburg [video online]. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50CHKbh6YV0 [Accessed 15 Dec 2013]
8. toboe333 (Aug 23, 2012) Russia- зима, Winter [Full Character Song with Lyrics] [video online]. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f92U-8VI-vc [Accessed 15 Dec 2013]