voix céleste

American  

[vwah sey-lest] / ˈvwɑ seɪˈlɛst /

noun

1. an organ stop having for each note two pipes tuned to slightly different pitches and producing a wavering, gentle tone.

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voix céleste British  

/ vwɑː sɛˈlɛst /

noun

1. an organ stop which produces a tremolo effect through the acoustic phenomenon of beats

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Etymology

Origin of voix céleste

< French: heavenly voice

Example Sentences

The French maker, Mustel, added other registers for much-admired effects of tone, viz. “harpe �olienne,” two bass rows of 2 ft. pitch, the one tuned a beat too sharp, the other a beat too flat, to produce a waving tremulous tone that has a certain charm; “musette” and “voix celeste,” 16 ft.; and “baryton,” a treble stop 32 ft., or two octaves lower than the normal note of the key.

From Project Gutenberg

And Voix Céleste, who is a nun, came from her convent to sing in the choir.

From Project Gutenberg

Voix Humaine 8 *Prestant 4 *Basson-Hautbois 8 *Plein Jeu, 4 to 7 ranks *Diapason 8 Quinte 2 2/3 *Flute Harmonique 4 Octavin 2 Voix Celeste 8 Cornet, 3 to 5 ranks *Flute Octav 4 Bombarde 16 Voile de Gambe 8 Trompette 8 Quintaton 16 Clairon 4 The printed specification kindly furnished to us by Dr. William C. Carl, of New York, who obtained it specially from Mr. Charles Mutin, of Paris, Cavaill�-Coll's successor in business, is not clear on the matter of couplers.

From Project Gutenberg