NOTES ON FRENCH ORGANS.
S
ST. WOLFRAM.—A fine organ stands in a gallery which fills the first compartment of the nave, so that the case stands well away from the west window. The great case has five towers, of five pipes each, the smallest in the centre, on the top of which is a winged angel, with a sword in one hand and a scroll in the other. On each side is a flat of five pipes, then a middling-sized tower, beyond these are flats of four pipes each, and then two great towers, which overhang the sides of the case. The Choir Organ, which stands in front, consists of two flats, of ten pipes each, and three towers, the largest in the centre, each containing seven pipes. The Accompaniment Organ (by this term I mean an organ standing in the Choir, to accompany the Priests’ voices) stands on the north side of the Choir, in a plain modern flat-topped case, with a little Gothic work about it. It is played from a reverse key-board in the Stalls. Tone fair. 1875.
(Larger)ST.WOLFRAM—ABBEVILLE14TH.MAY, 1875.
(Larger)ST.WOLFRAM—ABBEVILLE14TH.MAY, 1875.
(Larger)
ST.WOLFRAM—ABBEVILLE
14TH.MAY, 1875.
ST. SEPULCHRE.—The west-end organ has a plain classic face of oak, with three towers, the tallest in the middle. The Choir Organ in front has three towers, disposed in the same manner. In a Chapel, on the south-east side of the Church, is a modern Gothic organ, the front of which forms a sort of reredos to an Altar, an arrangement certainly not to be commended. 1875.
THE CATHEDRAL.—The Great Organ, which stands in a gallery at the west end of the Church, is one of the oldest in France. It is simple in design, consisting of three flat towers, with flats between them. The case is painted blue, and much gilded. It has a Choir Organ in front, which is an addition, and rather Belgian in style. It is a good-sized instrument, but does not look large enough for so spacious a Church.
In the north aisle of the Choir is an Accompaniment Organ, in a common case, with no pipes; air-holes are cut in the wood-work, some of which show through the backs of the Stalls, from which it is played. The tone of the Great Organ flue stops is coarse, but that of the reeds good, and on the whole the instrument is very suitable for the large Cathedral in which it stands. The quality of the Accompaniment Organ is very fair. In 1868 I heard them both played at Mass. The players were good, especially the organist of the large instrument. 1868, 1875.
ST. ——.—In a Church, the name of which I omitted to note, was an organ, the front of which consisted of a painting of an organ front (scene-painter’s work). It looked dirty, as if it had been up for some time. I suppose they were either short of funds to carry out the design, or there was some yet unsettled dispute pending; such things happen nearer home than Amiens. 1868.
THE CATHEDRAL.—The large organ stands at the west end of the Church, with its Choir in front. It stands in a gallery, supported by a stone arch thrown across the nave. The great case consists of a large central tower with five pipes, surmounted by an urn, on each side of which is a flat of seven pipes, then a small tower, containing one pipe only; again a flat of seven pipes, and at each end of the case is a tower containing three pipes, which are supported by figures. TheChoir Organ consists of a small tower of five pipes in the centre, with a flat on each side, and beyond them a taller tower of three pipes. The tone is full, but wanting in sweetness, and is deficient in bass. Under the arch, on the north side of the Choir, next the centre tower, is an Accompaniment Organ, in a very handsome case with three towers, and of fair quality in tone. About this district, most of the organs stand on an arch, thrown across the west end of the nave. 1866.
THE CATHEDRAL.—The Great Organ stands in an exceptional position, at the south end of the east aisle of the south transept, standing as forward as the first column of the transept, leaving space between it and the end of the transept, for bellows, &c. Although one of the largest organs in France, the case is plain and simple, consisting merely of three towers of five pipes each, the smallest in the centre, with flats between, and a Choir Organ in front, consisting of a long flat, with two circular towers. Above the Great Organ case, stands some old painted screen-work. As far as the case is concerned, the organ is not worthy of the lofty Cathedral in which it stands. I did not hear this organ, so cannot judge of its tone. In the Choir is a modern Gothic organ, with three gabled flats, and in the north transept is a harmonium. 1875.
ST. ETIENNEhas, at the west end, a good-sized organ of dark oak, standing in a gallery, supported by two square oak pillars. The Great Organ case consists of three towers, with five pipes each. The largest, which are at each end, are supported by angels, and crowned with vases, and the centre tower is surmounted by an angel. The flats between the towers are each divided in half by a pilaster. The Choir Organ, also in dark oak, has three towers, the least in the centre. In the spaces between the Great Organ case and the sides of the nave, are wooden arches filled in with lattice-work, behind which is placed a quantity of pipe-work, so that the organ is really larger than it appears to be at first sight. 1875.B
BIn the Museum at Beauvais are two curious organ pipes, with raised mouldings and painted decorations, which I believe are some of the original pipes of the old organ at Gonesse.
BIn the Museum at Beauvais are two curious organ pipes, with raised mouldings and painted decorations, which I believe are some of the original pipes of the old organ at Gonesse.
(Larger)ST.ETIENNE—BEAUVAIS18TH.MAY, 1875.
(Larger)ST.ETIENNE—BEAUVAIS18TH.MAY, 1875.
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ST.ETIENNE—BEAUVAIS
18TH.MAY, 1875.
THE CATHEDRAL.—Over the west door stands a large modern organ, consisting simply of panels of open work, and without any pipes showing. 1875.
ST. ETIENNE.—At the west end is a large organ, with four towers; those at the side of the case are borne by giants. In front stands the Choir Organ, consisting of two flats, and three towers of five pipes each, the least in the centre. Under the north arch of the centre tower (the Choir reaching as far as the western piers of the same) is an Accompaniment Organ of modern Gothic work. In the middle of the Choir is a harmonium, which I was told was for the boys. 1866.
ST. JEANhas a handsome organ, with its Choir Organ in front. It also shows, under the arch against which it stands, a little front facing the west entrance. 1866.
ST. PIERRE.—At the west end stands a large old organ, with its Choir in front, as usual, and on the south side of the Choir is a small Accompaniment Organ. 1866.
ST. TRINITÉ.—In the north transept stands a shabby-looking organ. This handsome Norman church should have something more worthy of it. 1866.
THE CATHEDRAL.—At the west end of the church, supported by four pillars, arranged two and two on each side, stands a fine organ with the customary Choir in front. Among the sketches of David Roberts, which were sold after his death, was a very good one of this instrument. Under the north arch of the centre tower, stands a small modern Gothic Accompaniment Organ, consisting of four panels with flat tops. It is played from the front row of the Choir Stalls, the Choir, as at Caen, extending as far as the western arch of the centre tower. 1866.
ST. NICOLAS.—At the west end stands an old organ in a very English-looking case, with three towers, the largest of which is in the centre. As the case is flush with the front of the gallery, the key-board must be either at the back, or on one side of the instrument. 1866.
ST. PIERRE.—In a gallery, standing across the western bay of the nave, unsupported by pillar or arch, stands the organ with its Choir in front, in a very ordinary case. 1866.
ST. JACQUES.—Supported on wooden pillars at the west end of the church, is a large early Renaissance organ, with a Choir in front, in a dirty condition. 1866.
ST. RÉMIhas an organ very similar to St. Jacques, not quite so old, which, when I saw it, was in a very shabby state.
THE CATHEDRAL.—The organ is in a Grand case at the west end. By some people it is considered one of the finest cases in France. I have never been able to get a drawing or photograph of it, and omitted to sketch it myself. 1855.
THE CATHEDRAL.—At the end of the north transept stands the very picturesque Great Organ, with its Choir in front. It has five towers, the two largest of which, supported by giants, stand at the sides, and the smallest occupies the centre. The Choir Organ has three towers, the least in the middle. Wood pipes, coloured red, are placed on each side of the Great Organ, with bad effect. The tone of the instrument is reedy and weak, and the wind short. The Accompaniment Organ, in an ordinary flat modern Gothic case, stands on the north side of the Choir. 1868.
ST. PIERRE(formerly the Cathedral).—A good sized organ, of a fair Gothic design, is on the north side of the Choir. It is played from the Stalls. There is no organ at the west end, which is rather unusual in a large French church. 1866.
ST. JACQUES.—The church was so dark that I could only make out that the organ, which stood at the west end of the church, had four towers, and the Choir in front, three. The case might have been an old one, half Flamboyant, and half Renaissance, or perhaps modern Gothic. 1866.
THE CATHEDRAL.—On the side of the Choir is a sweet-toned organ, a drawing of whichis given in “Le Facteur d’Orgues.” 1855.
NOTRE-DAME.—A gigantic organ (the contents of which are by Cavaillé) stands at the west end of the church, in a fine old case of five towers, the largest of which are at each end of the case, and in the centre is the smallest, surmounted by a clock. In place of the usual Choir case is a console containing the keys, enabling the player to see down the nave. The organ is supported partly by a vaulting of stone, and partly by a wooden gallery, which, although no doubt perfectly correct, appears to me rather mean. Over the Stalls, on the north side of the Choir, is a small Accompaniment Organ, the wood-work of which does not harmonise well with the Stalls. 1868.
ST. EUSTACHE.—This church has three organs. At the west end is the Great Organ, with Choir in front, the case of which is of a rather unusual but handsome pattern. On the south side of the Choir is a good-toned Accompaniment Organ, in a plain case; and on the south side of the Lady Chapel is a little five-stop organ, with a plain case, composed of two flats. 1868.
THE CATHEDRAL.—The Great Organ stands in the north transept, in a very fine case, part Flamboyant and part Renaissance. It has five towers, the largest of which stands in the centre, the next in size at each end of the case, and the least occupy the intermediate positions. The Choir Organ in front has three towers, the tallest of which are at the ends. In the flats, of which there are four, two and two together, are ovals over the pipes, also fitted with pipes: the inner ovals had the smallest pipes I have ever seen put in front of an organ. The full tone of the instrument is very good; to be critical, a little wanting in diapason. The solo stops are good, the vox humana fairish, and the tremulant effective. The player knew well how to use the instrument. On each side of the case stand some pipes painted white, which are by no means so conspicuous as might be expected. The Choir Organ, for in this case it can hardly be called merely an Accompaniment Organ, stands on the south side of the Choir. Architecturally speaking, it stands in the nave, as the Choir extends three bays down the nave. It is modern Gothic, with a lofty tower in the centre, surmounted by a high pinnacle, and a sloping flat of pipes on each side. It has a good full tone; and, when I heard it, was exactly in tune with the large organ; so it was a great treat to hear one respond to the other. It has two rows of keys, and a pedal; and the stops were arranged on each side from the key-board down to the pedal, which cannot be convenient to the player. On a week day, I heard a very young man accompany the mass; he played very well and steadily, and when his services were not required, attended to the service in a manner which some organists might follow with advantage. Above the Great Organ stands a good rose window. 1868.
(Larger)RHEIMS CATHEDRAL17TH.AUGUST 1868.
(Larger)RHEIMS CATHEDRAL17TH.AUGUST 1868.
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RHEIMS CATHEDRAL
17TH.AUGUST 1868.
ST. ANDRÉ.—The organ stands on the south side of the Choir; it is in a flat case of carved oak, in the modern Norman style, but where they got their precedent, I do not know. However, it looked well, and the tone was good. 1868.
ST. RÉMI.—The organ is fitted into one of the north arches of the nave, part of which is used as the Choir, as in the cathedral. It has a plain flat front, and is played from the Choir Stalls. The stop handles are arranged in the same manner as those in the smaller organ in the cathedral. 1868.
THE CATHEDRAL.—At the west end, under a grand rose window, stands one of the best organs in Normandy. Its gallery is supported by two internal buttresses of white stone, or marble,on each side of the grand entrance. It consists of five towers of five pipes each, the largest, which are the outside towers, being supported by giants, and surmounted by a statue. The two next towers have vases on their summits; and the centre tower, which is the least, is crowned with a clock. Between these towers stand four equal flats, with nine pipes each, which are perhaps the only failure in this grand case. The Choir in front has three towers, with five pipes each, surmounted with vases, the least in the centre, and two flats of nine pipes each. The culs-de-lampe have much open work about them. The organ gallery is concave in plan. The tone of the Great Organ is good, the shrill stops not being prominent, and the reeds not too loud. When I heard it, the player could not be called first-class. The Accompaniment Organ stands on the north side of the Choir; it has two gabled flats, with a narrow gable tower between, of modern Gothic work. Its tone is fair, but nothing particular. 1866, 1875.
(Larger)ROUEN CATHEDRAL21ST.MAY, 1875.
(Larger)ROUEN CATHEDRAL21ST.MAY, 1875.
(Larger)
ROUEN CATHEDRAL
21ST.MAY, 1875.
CANTELEU.—The parish church is without an organ, but in the centre of the Choir stands a harmonium or American organ. It is a pity that a good church like this, in a wealthy suburb, is without a proper instrument. 1875.
ST. GEORGES DE BOSCHERVILLE.—A small village some little distance from the city, with a famous Norman church, which has a small old three-towered organ, with no Choir in front, standing in its west gallery. 1875.
ST. MACLOU.—The organ, which stands at the west end of the church, has four towers of five pipes each, the largest outside, overhanging the case. The two adjoining flats have seven pipes each, and the centre flat, which is divided in half, has nine pipes in its lower division, and thirteen in the upper, which is surmounted by a clock. The Choir in front, has three towers; the centre, which is the tallest, having seven pipes, the outer towers have five pipes, and the intermediate flats seven. The organ gallery is supported by grey marble columns, and on its south side has a very fine stone-staircase. The case has very elaborate Renaissance carving, and above it stands a good rose window. When I saw it in 1866, the organ had just been repaired, and the pipe-work was brilliant and had well-shaped mouths. When I saw it again in 1875, they looked very dull and out of condition. 1866, 1875.
(Larger)ST.MACLOU, ROUEN.20TH.MAY, 1875.
(Larger)ST.MACLOU, ROUEN.20TH.MAY, 1875.
(Larger)
ST.MACLOU, ROUEN.
20TH.MAY, 1875.
NOTRE-DAME DE BON SECOURShas, at the west end, a modern French Gothic organ, with much gilding and plain pipes. The Choir Organ in front is very small, merely a screen in front of the player. Behind the Stalls, on the south aisle of the Choir, is a long low oak box, containing a small organ, the key-board of which is in the Choir Stalls. 1866.
ST. OUEN.—The organ stands in a grand case, in a gallery supported by white marble columns, at the west end of the church, with one of the finest rose windows in France over it. The great case has five towers with five pipes each, and four flats with seven each. The largest towers overhang the extremity of the case, and are surmounted by winged angels. The intermediate towers, which are half hexagons, have on the southern tower, the statue of St. Cecilia, and on the northern, one of King David. The centre tower, which is the smallest, has a figure which I could not make out. Query, St. Ouen? The Choir case has three towers of five pipes each, the least in the centre, with two flats of seven pipes. This organ has very good Renaissance carving about it. In a chapel on the north side of the Choir is a modern Gothic organ, the mouths of whose pipes are well formed. The key-board is in the Choir, and the trackers run under the side aisle. 1866, 1875.
(Larger)ST.OUEN—ROUEN20TH.MAY, 1875.
(Larger)ST.OUEN—ROUEN20TH.MAY, 1875.
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ST.OUEN—ROUEN
20TH.MAY, 1875.
ST. SEVER(on the south side of the river).—The organ in this church is curiously arranged. The west tower, which projects into the church, is faced with marble, the lower part of which consists of a large arch for the western door. It has on either side a round-headed recess, holding on oneside a painting of St. Paul, and on the other, that of St. Peter. Above this is a large round arch, panelled with oak, with a small Choir Organ in front, and the upper part of the arch has pipes which follow its curve. Beyond this, can be seen a circular west window, with a flat of pipes underneath, with oak carving. On each side of this arch stand tall round arches, filled with pipe-work. 1875.
ST. VINCENT.—The aristocratic church of Rouen. The Tarif de Chaises beats any regulation for letting pews that I am aware of in England. At the west end is a Renaissance organ, with a Choir Organ in front, in fairish condition. On the north side of the Choir is an Accompaniment Organ, of the usual French Gothic pattern. 1866.
ST. VIVIEN.—In a gallery at the west end is a large organ, very similar to that in the Cathedral, the chief difference being, that in place of the intermediate towers, are pilasters surmounted by statues. The Choir Organ in front, which has three towers, projects very far from the gallery. On the north side of the Choir is a small organ of no particular style, consisting of three flats. 1875.
The three great organs in Rouen, in the Cathedral, St. Ouen, and St. Maclou, have cases of which any city or town may well be proud.
ST. LO(formerly the Cathedral).—At the west end stands the organ, with its Choir in front. The case is a handsome one, in the old French style. It is not a large instrument, and its quality is noisy and bad. 1866.
ST. CROIX.—A modern Gothic organ stands at the west end, wanting the usual Choir Organ in front. 1866.
THE ABBEY CHURCH.—A poor Picardy village, with a magnificent church, which has a good-looking organ, standing very high up in a vaulted gallery, at the west end. Its oak case has five towers, the largest at the ends, and the least in the centre, with an ordinary French Choir Organ in front. 1875.
THE CATHEDRAL.—I include this organ among French organs, as when I saw it, it belonged to France. Silberman’s fine organ projects from the north triforium in the nave, its Gothic case, painted and gilded, is very handsome, and when I saw it, it looked as if it had just been put into good order. The case consists of a large central tower, with a flat on each side, beyond which are carved oak wings, with much gilding. Its Choir Organ, which projects in front, is very similar in pattern. Its quality is sweet, but a little muffled. However, I did not hear its full power. It was played by a lady, a good performer, who had presided at the instrument for some years. This is one of the best hanging organs I know, and without looking unwieldy, holds forty-two, a fair number of stops. It received considerable damage during the siege. 1868.
THE CATHEDRAL.—A fine organ stands at the west end of the church, under a grand Flamboyant rose window. It is proposed to remove the stone vault on which it stands, and to place the instrument, which is said to have been brought from the Abbey of St. Bernard, at Clairvaux, on iron girders, so as to allow the rose to be better seen. It has five towers, that in the centre containing the five largest pipes, surmounted by King David, with his harp; on each side ofwhich is a flat containing nine pipes, then a little tower of five pipes, above which is an angel, who holds festoons of flowers, which come from the centre and end towers. Next comes a flat of eight pipes, beyond which are the end towers, with five large pipes, supported by giants, and crowned with a sitting angel, playing on a violin. The Choir Organ has three towers of five pipes each, the smallest tower, which is in the centre, carries a shield, and the end towers have each an angel. The base of the Choir Organ is stone, and on each side of the Great Organ case stand large wood pipes. The wood-work of the case is dark in colour, and the carving elaborate, with no gilding, and the pipes are plain. The Accompaniment Organ stands on the north side of the Choir, with a reversed key-board, played from the Stalls. Its pipes are plain, and the wood is left its natural colour. Its style is ultra-Gothic, minus the correct painting and gilding. 1869.
(Larger)TROYES CATHEDRAL2ND.SEPTR.1869
(Larger)TROYES CATHEDRAL2ND.SEPTR.1869
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TROYES CATHEDRAL
2ND.SEPTR.1869
ST. JEAN.—At the west end is a fair-sized organ, with a Choir Organ before it, both having three towers, the smallest in the centre. 1869.
ST. NIZIER.—On the north side of the Choir stands an organ of modern Gothic work, with its key-board reversed. 1869.
ST. RÉMI.—An organ, the design of which is modern Gothic, stands at the west end. 1869.
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The figures given at the end of each description, are the dates at which I saw the different instruments.
Unless it is stated that the pipes are gilded or painted, it is to be understood that the pipes in foreign organs are left their natural colour.