a small bell or a bell-like shape; also a percussion instrument consisting of metal bars played with mallets.
From Italian 'campanella' (little bell), diminutive of 'campana' (bell), from Latin 'campana'. The word traveled through European music terminology.
Campanellas appear in orchestral music to add that magical, shimmering tinkling sound—Ravel used them masterfully, and they're basically tiny bells that make composers sound more sophisticated.
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