LE GRAND ORGUE
The Great Organ of the Saint Clotilde Basilica is one of the
masterpieces of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. It was inaugurated in 1859 by
the organiste titulaire César Franck and its history was eventful.
Various titulaires printed their marks on the instrument by
extensions and restorations, resulting in an instrument that is both
far away from the instrument of 1859 and in some ways still close. In
fact this organ combines nowadays a romantic and a neo-
symphonique character.
As for the romantic instrument, this organ is the sixth instrument of
the famous French builder Cavaillé-Coll. It was built after those of
Notre-Dame-de-Lorette (1837), Saint-Denis (1841), Saint-Jean-Saint-
François (1846), Madeleine (1846) and Saint-Vincent-de-Paul (1852).
Some changes that had alter its romantic character have been
largely erased by the lastest restoration (2005). This offers the
interpreter the possibility of a trip in time, close to the instrument of
César Franck.
About the neo-symphonique organ, this is the result of four periods
of construction (1859/1863-1933-1962-2005), in which the organ was
enlarged from 46 to 71 stops and was equipped with the new
technical opportunities available at these different times. Thus it
successively was electrified, digitalized, equipped with a crescendo
and finally a mobile console was added that allows the organist to be
seen by the public and to play with choirs and orchestras.
1859
The organ is designed and installed by
Cavaillé-Coll with César Franck as organiste
titulaire.
46 stops.
1933
The organ is enlarged by Joseph Beuchet
(Ets Cavaillé-Coll) under the direction of
Charles Tournemire.
56 stops.
1962
The organ is enlarged and electrified by
Beuchet-Debierre, under the direction of
Jean Langlais.
60 stops.
1983
Restoration by Jacques Barberis,
under the direction of Jean Langlais.
61 stops.
2005
Restoration and enlargement by Bernard
Dargassies under the direction of Jacques
Taddei, with assistance of Olivier Penin.
71 jeux
Photo: Pieter Baak
Click on the photos for more information
Drawing: Victor Weller
LE GRAND ORGUE
1859
The organ is designed and installed by Cavaillé-
Coll with César Franck as organiste titulaire.
46 stops.
1933
The organ is enlarged by Joseph Beuchet (Ets
Cavaillé-Coll) under the direction of Charles
Tournemire.
56 stops.
1962
The organ is enlarged and electrified by
Beuchet-Debierre, under the direction of Jean
Langlais.
60 stops.
1983
Restoration by Jacques Barberis,
under the direction of Jean Langlais.
61 stops.
2005
Restoration and enlargement by Bernard
Dargassies under the direction of Jacques
Taddei, with assistance of Olivier Penin.
71 jeux
