NOTES ON BELGIAN ORGANS.
T
THE CATHEDRAL(Notre Dame) has a grand instrument at the west end, standing in a gallery of black and white marble, supported by scagliola columns on black plinths. The gallery projects very much in front of the organ, so as to allow room for an orchestra. The centre tower contains seven pipes, and has on each side a bowed compartment of seven pipes, and next a flat of six pipes. These have over them a seated angel, so as to fill up the space between the centre and the next towers, which each contain five pipes. The next is a bowed compartment of three slender pipes, then a flat of three pipes, and at each end is a tower of five pipes surmounted by an angel playing on a large lute. The centre tower is surmounted by a sitting figure with angels, backed with carved work, above which is a winged angel holding a palm branch. The intermediate towers have each a high finial, with two angels holding trumpets. The oak work is elaborately carved, the claires-voies are gilt, and between the feet of the pipes carved work is inserted, which is also gilt. The mouths of the pipes, which, when I saw them, were in dirty condition, are gilt. The west window appears above the organ case, but the end of the Church is gloomy, and it is difficult to make out detail. I did not much admire the tone of this instrument. 1872.
(Larger)ANTWERP CATHEDRAL11TH.SEPTR.1872.
(Larger)ANTWERP CATHEDRAL11TH.SEPTR.1872.
(Larger)
ANTWERP CATHEDRAL
11TH.SEPTR.1872.
THE ENGLISH CHURCHhas a small organ in the west gallery, consisting of one manual with ten stops and no pedal, the tone bad. The oak case in the Renaissance style, withthree towers, the smallest in the centre. Although the pipes of the outer towers are arranged in a semi-circle, the top is square, the gilded work at the top of the pipes making a sort of capital, which looks very well. 1872.
ST. GEORGE.—A new church, highly decorated, has at its west end a divided Gothic organ, not otherwise remarkable. 1872.
ST. JACQUES.—A semi-divided organ stands on a Choir Screen of black and white marble, the front towards the west, has on each side next the pillars of the church, a tower of seven pipes, then a small flat, beyond which is a still smaller flat. A low straight piece of oak carving joins this to similar work on the opposite side. The Choir front consists of a low centre, which has a bas-relief of St. Cecilia, below which is a small oval opening, which I fancy is useful to the organist. On each side of this is a flat of six pipes, a tower of five pipes, a flat of four pipes, and lastly, a tower of five pipes surmounted by figures. This portion of the case is low, and looks like a Choir Organ rather larger than usual. On each side of this work, comes a small flat of five pipes, then a larger flat of five pipes, and a tall tower of five pipes, all of which are crowned with figures and carving. The feet of the pipes in these last divisions commence about the level of the middle of those in the centre part. The mouths of the pipes are gilt, and have gilded work between their feet. This instrument is an excellent specimen of an organ standing on a Choir Screen, and so arranged as not to injure the view up and down the church. 1872.
ST. PAUL(Dominicans).—The organ, with its Choir Organ in front, said to be the finest in Belgium, and as far as the case and carving is concerned it well may be, stands at the west end of the Church, in a semi-circular gallery of black and white marble, with gilt balustrades. The rough outline of the case may be said to be a steep gable, with fantastic carvings above. The central portion stands on a very high plinth, the middle tower, which is crowned with a phœnix, standing above much curious carving, has five pipes carried on “ponts,” and has on each side a double tier of eleven pipes, then an angular tower, crowned with a lyre and two angels, beyond which is a flat of seven pipes. All the wood-work is well carved, with a little gilding judiciously used. On each side of this central portion is a tower springing from a corbel, at a much lower level than the rest of the work, so that the tops of the pipes, which are five, standing on “ponts,” are about level with the tops of the lowest pipes in the centre of the case. They are crowned with domes, from which dragons peep, and are surmounted by winged angels bearing trumpets. The Choir case has three angels on its central tower of seven pipes, on each side of which are two tiers of small pipes, and then an angular tower, surmounted by an angel. A wooden gallery joins the Choir case to the inner angle of the outer towers of the Great case, and a like gallery joins these towers to the walls of the nave. All this work overhangs the marble gallery below, and its curved supports are beautifully carved. The lower gallery contains the usual fittings of an orchestra, the pipes are quite plain and the leaf of their mouths is rounded, not sharp as in the Cathedral, or at St. Jacques, and no carving is introduced between their feet. 1872.
The wood of all these organs is dark, not black, oak, and the sculpture excellent.
(Larger)ST.PAULS ANTWERP12TH.SEPTR.1872
(Larger)ST.PAULS ANTWERP12TH.SEPTR.1872
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ST.PAULS ANTWERP
12TH.SEPTR.1872
THE CATHEDRAL(St. Sauveur).—On the Choir Screen stands an elaborately designed organ. Its base is taller than usual, and the arrangement of pipes somewhat complicated. In the centre is a tower of seven pipes, with a flat on each side containing two tiers of pipes. Above the cornice of this work, rises in the centre a tall tower of seven pipes, crowned with much carved work,and surmounted by a large figure. On each side is a flat of pipes, with an angel playing on a trumpet in each corner. On each side of the organ stands a tower of five large pipes, with elaborate cornices and wings. That on the south side is surmounted by King David, and that on the north by St. Cecilia. These towers overhang the case, and are joined to the centre work by flats of seven pipes. The pipes are gilt in the English fashion, the front facing the Choir consists simply of panels of carved open work, with a Choir Organ in front, the pipes of which are gilt. 1872.
ST. ANNE.—On the Choir Screen stands a little organ, with gilt pipes and very elaborate carving. 1872.
ST. JACQUES.—On the Choir Screen is a handsome organ, with good carving. The side facing the Choir shows pipes in its two end towers only, the rest being filled in with open work tracery. 1872.
ST. JEAN(chapel in the hospital of).—The organ, not a very old instrument, stands in a second gallery, at the west end of the chapel, its pipes are gilt, and arranged somewhat in the German manner, showing a Great and Choir front in one case. 1872.
NOTRE DAME.—There is on the Choir Screen a very curious early Renaissance organ case, forming the base of the rood. Its pipes are not gilt, and it has a plain Choir Organ on its eastern side. 1872.
LES SŒURS DE CHARITÉ(chapel in the convent of).—In the west gallery is a small organ, standing flush with its front. It consists of a single flat of bright tin pipes, and the wood-work is painted white. 1872.
STE. GUDULE.—At the west end is an ugly divided organ case, with very little work about it. In the front of its gallery is a hanging Choir Organ, of bad Gothic. On the south side of the Choir, stands a fair-sized harmonium. 1869.
NOTRE DAME DES VICTOIRES.—A Renaissance organ stands at the west end, the pipes plain, and the case dirty. It consists of a centre tower, two curved compartments, and two outer towers, supported by giants, and set at an angle of 45° with the front. The Choir Organ in front is very similar in pattern; the upper part of the Great Organ case has many carvings of musical instruments, &c., and a medallion bearing a head in the centre. 1872.
THE CATHEDRAL(St. Bavon).—A handsome organ stands at the junction of the north transept with the Choir, which has three towers with five pipes each; the two outside ones are supported by satyrs, and crowned with angels holding trumpets. On each side of the centre tower, are two flats of five pipes each, over which is much carving, with shields supported by angels. Over the centre tower is a small three-sided case, containing seven pipes in each compartment, surmounted with tabernacle work, on which is a figure on horseback, query, St. Bavon? The key-board of the organ is behind in a gallery, just under the vaulting of the north aisle of the Choir, which has a small Choir front facing the east; but I was told that this was really quite an independent instrument. The arches under the organ are cased with black and white marble, all the carving about the case is good, and dates from the seventeenth century. The case is of oak, but after the fashion of the country, painted oak colour. I objected to this, but was informed what could I expect, when they were in the habit of painting imitation marble on marble. The main case reaches about half-way up the triforium, and the upper case more than half-way up theclerestory windows. The tone is good, and from its quality, I should say, has not been much altered from its original state. At High Mass I heard it very well played. The soft stops I could hardly hear, on account of the people perpetually moving in the Church. 1872.
(Larger)CATHEDRAL (ST.BAVON) GHENT.5TH.OCT, 1872.
(Larger)CATHEDRAL (ST.BAVON) GHENT.5TH.OCT, 1872.
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CATHEDRAL (ST.BAVON) GHENT.
5TH.OCT, 1872.
THE BÉGUINAGE.—At the west end is an organ, not a very large one, with its Choir Organ planted just in front of it, or else inserted into the lower part of the case, German fashion. Its quality was not bad, and was fairly played by one of the Béguines, who was seated at the back of the instrument. 1872.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH(Temple Protestant).—In the west gallery is a small, poor-toned organ; it has three towers, the least in the centre, which, however, stands higher than the others, from the plinth of the case curving up in the middle. On each side is a flat, with two tiers of pipes, and the cornice of the centre tower overlaps those of the other towers, which gives a crowded effect to the case. 1872.
ST. JACQUES.—The case of the organ, at the west end, is divided into three parts, the centre one being lower than the others. 1872.
ST. MICHAEL.—The modern organ at the west end of the church, is of a peculiar and very ugly design. 1872.
ST. NICOLAS.—At the west end is a modern Gothic organ, the front of which consists of a gable, with a lofty tower and pinnacle in the centre. 1872.
ST. JACQUES.—At the west end is a very pretty Renaissance organ. In the centre of the case is a large tower containing seven pipes, on each side of which is a flat, with a double tier of pipes, then a flat of four pipes, beyond which are semi-circular endings containing three pipes, supported by figures holding trumpets, and surmounted by tabernacle work. The lower part of the case is very tall, so that from the gallery to the feet of the pipes is nearly half the height of the instrument. In the front projects the Choir Organ, supported by a stone bracket. It consists of a central tower of seven pipes, with much carved work above, supporting a statue of St. Cecilia, with a flat on each side, and semi-circular ends, filled with pipes. All the work about this organ is very good, and by some it is considered the prettiest organ case in existence. 1863.
ST. PIERRE.—The organ stands projecting from the east wall of the north transept, and fills the space between the clerestory and half way up the opening into the side aisles. The case consists of a tower of seven pipes in the centre, with tabernacle work on the top, crowned with St. Peter. On each side are tall flats, with a semi-circular pediment, beyond which are semi-circular ends, supported by brackets. It may be noted that the pipes in the semi-circular ends are very slender, and their feet are longer than their bodies. The Choir Organ in front is very similar in design. The carving about the case and gallery is nice, without being anything particular, and the tone fair, though rather deficient in power. 1872.
THE CATHEDRAL(St. Rumbold).—The organ, which stands at the west end, is an old ordinary-looking instrument. In the south aisle of the Choir is a modern Gothic organ. In the Cathedral of the Primate of Belgium one might expect that there would be finer instruments. 1872.
ST. JEAN.—At the west end is a modern Renaissance organ. A white plaster wall is brought so forward, that it stands flush with the front of the case, the effect of which is not good. 1872.
NOTRE-DAME.—In the south transept, over the Choir aisle arch, stands an organ with its Choir in front, good in tone, and in a very clean and good condition, so that I fancied it to be a new instrument. I was, however, told that it was old. The pipes were left their natural colour, and there was no gilding about the wood-work. It is a very pretty instrument on a moderate scale. 1872.