Musical instruments: The Stalacpipe of Luray Caverns, Virginia
Below the earth, in beautiful Luray Caverns in Luray, Virginia, is a unique musical instrument. Not only is it unusual, but also the world’s largest – and growing. This is the great Stalacpipe bodies. Its creator, Leland W. Esparza, believes it could be expanded to include all stalactites tunable in the 64 acres of underground caverns.
It all started when Robert Esparza recently visited the caves of the Shenandoah Valley in their fifth birthday.
When the guidance of a stalactite struck just the right spot, the rock deep, resonant tone, both fascinated him and his father. Mr. Esparza, an electronics scientist, was more enthusiastic about the idea of creating an instrument for playing music in the stalactites. The Blue Ridge Mountain Caverns likely formed by underground rivers. Slow seepage of rainwater through the lime produced stone formations called stalactites hanging. Brilliant, majestic houses, some as large as 300 by 400 feet with natural charm of the waterways of strange rock formations and exquisite slowly. Stalactites from the ceiling met stalagmites building up the floor to greatly inspire fear columns.
Hundreds of thousands of people pass through the cave each year. Rotating Giant’s Hall, a large group of cameras, Tatiana Velo, a mass of dazzling white stalactites and Dream Lake, a water crystal. But before the visit of Mr. Esparza, no one had tried to create a tool to unlock the tones imprisoned in the silent stalactites.
He had to address many problems. Only two stalactites were in perfect natural harmony. Mr. Esparza developed a system for grinding of others, using sanding disks rotate at high speed. Once tuned, the hard rock stay tuned, air-conditioning for the 54 F temperature of the caves. The ability to grind really improving the quality of the tone of stalagmites.
Mr. Esparza took three years of research, design and experience to develop the eighth blocks are controlled by the brushes of metal similar to the small brushes. On the other hand, a belt of plastic with a consistent pattern of holes corresponding to the various structures. The electrical system causes a piston to move, making a stalactite.
The pistons are magnetic. Large soft iron with a brass tip covered by rubber. Small rubber-tipped metal pistons are used for smaller rocks. The speed of the motor causes changes in the rhythm of music. The volume level is adjustable in eight different positions.
Multiphonic sound is achieved by different parts of the stalactites. Probably no body in the world has a better room in which to achieve their eco effects. A "heavenly" sound stalactites two together is another exciting tonal quality that is obtained in this underground cathedral.
The selections have been recorded. The first was “a mighty fortress is our God”, which took place in 1956. Other songs are played seasonally “we gather together” (organized by Edward Kresmer), “Silent Night” (with a carillon effect stalactites), and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”
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