Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)

[NYCFarmboy]

I have read somewhere or maybe even on here a few years ago that Pierre Cochereau had a "American organ supply house" console installed on the CC organ at Notre Dame during his tenure there.


Is the photo below from a recording of his, at this console?



I think it must be as it is only 56 note compass similar to the Holtkamp console ...is the CC at Notre Dame still 56 compass? or am I dreadfully wrong as often is the case? ;)

I presume this console was replaced in the 1990's when they did the fancy computer controlled console?

maybe someone here can give a bit of history of the consoles at Notre Dame..would be interesting! :)

current stoplist? recent changes?


whatever happened to that console?

[soubasse32]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)



This is a bit confusing, as we are not talking about Notre-Dame at all. At least not yet. [:)]

What you are looking at is the console of Pierre Cochereau's residence organ. In 1997 Daniel Biroustecombined that organ with the 1826 organ at St-Vincent Church in Roquevaire, France. If your French is good you might be interested in reading more about it here.

As far as Notre-Dame is concerned,Jean Hermann and Robert Boisseau replaced the console in 1963.Parts ofthis console were reused in the 1992console. The manual compass is ... 56 notes. [8-|]

The Notre-Dame stoplist can be found here. I could go into some detail about the changes, but there have been many and it would take a lot of typing. [:S]

However, if you are willing to cook me a big plate of spaghetti... [:D]

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)

:) well stop by southern Indiana and I'll fire up the BBQ grill!

Thanks for that info! I'm going to try to get over to Paris sometime this summer or at least by this fall, if just for a weekend.... I've been inside Notre Dame many times but I don't think I have ever heard that organ being played...seems whenever I'm there, there is construction going on inside and they are not using it for whatever reason.

Do you know what happened in concerning a certain blonde American organist and a fire there?

[Guest]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)



[quote user="NYCFarmboy"]I have read somewhere or maybe even on here a few years ago that Pierre Cochereau had a "American organ supply house" console installed on the CC organ at Notre Dame during his tenure there.

Is the photo below from a recording of his, at this console?



I think it must be as it is only 56 note compass similar to the Holtkamp console ...is the CC at Notre Dame still 56 compass? or am I dreadfully wrong as often is the case? ;)

I presume this console was replaced in the 1990's when they did the fancy computer controlled console?

maybe someone here can give a bit of history of the consoles at Notre Dame..would be interesting! :)

The C-C console at Noter Dame was already problematic in the 1920s. An article in the Diapason spring or summer 1970 had an extensive article on the organ there. EM Skinner offered to donate a 5m console to ND but said offer was refused by the ecclesiatical authorities.

In 1904 C Mutin the owner of C-C firm since 1898 made tonal changes under L Vierne including mixtures, a new full length bass on the recit bombarde 16, and others. In 1924 the organ was supplied with an electric blower.In 1932-one year after Mutins passing the new owners did some additions for Vierne at ND including 16 and 8 ft pedal stops. The desired chamades like at Ouen in Rouen were not then realized by Vierne. Cochereau got them circa 1965 by Boisseau and they aint that good. The console is NOT American it is very UK from Kimber-Allen. Cochereau added tons of stuff. The 92 work missed the boat with the removal of the recit mixture. The grand choeur reeds--2 from clicquot--the 8 and the 4 are glorious.In 92 the grand orgue bombarde 16 was extended to CCC instead of only TC. Two new chamades vastly supperior to the outatune puny Boisseau chamades were added with some body to the grand orgue.Amazingly C-C pedales were short on 16 flues probabaly owing to wind hungry bass pipes but im not certain. he did appreciate the resultant effects of 10-2/3. 6-2/5 and 4-4/7 flue mutations.

current stoplist? recent changes?


whatever happened to that console?[/quote]

[soubasse32]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)



You are going to Paris for just a weekend?! I assume you aren't just visiting for two days and returning, unless you are more of a jet-setter than we realize!

I don't think there will be too many folks going to Europe in this economy, and with the exchange rate being so poor. But if you are able to go,there will atleastbe fewer American tourists.

I'm afraid I don't know the story you mentioned...

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)

It was referenced in "The Dish"..apparently "famous blonde american female organist" came over to Paris and while playing the organ, it caught fire!

don't know the details though!

[Guest]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)

Sounds like an escapade that Ms. Diane Bish was involved in  < ; - D

[Guest]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)



Maestro SB32,

Cochereau had a five-manual organ in his residence? Gee, I guess organists at Notre-Dame are paid "handsomely".  Whilst listening to the CoCoNut Wireless a few years ago there was mention that Pierre had a private jet at his disposal so that he could travel "unencumbered" by the chattel classes.  Oh, and that reminds me of von Karajan also had pilot certification for a Learjet which he often flew.

Cheers,

K-Phone 

[Guest]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)



Good experience to get over Paris a week end, try to listen Jean Guillou at St Eustache for wonderful improvisations... or Pierre Pincemaille in St Denis ! 

I hope to go in your city someday for your organs !...  

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)

3 8' clarinet ranks....i wonder if they are similar or diffent pressures?

[soubasse32]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)



I'll try to answer that later (much later).

Can you believe I have to go to a rehearsal tonight? [:@]

[Austin766]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)

That is ridiculous, rehearsal on Memorial Day, who does that? I must say a five manual residence organ, I've met a few famous concert organists namely Karel Paukert, Todd Wilson and his ex, Ann Wilson, and the only one with a residence organ is Paukert, and then only a 2m/3 rank, not a giganto 5 manual instrument.

[Brandon Tuomikoski]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)



O.K. The origional C-C console was replaced with the electric one. BUT DONT WORRY!!!!! THE CONSOLE IS STILL INTACT It is in the museum near the church and It is on display. Quite the organ cosole! Also there is many actual hand written pieces from Vierne!

I am 14 and my grandparents are taking me to France for a month in June. We will be going to the cathedral and I HOPE THE ORGAN IS PLAYING OR AT LEAST I CAN PLAY IT!!![:D] I would find it very interesting if we saw each other there. I would reconize you right away, I have been to your website and seen all your organ videos and I envy you!

[soubasse32]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)



[quote user="Austin766"]That is ridiculous, rehearsal on Memorial Day, who does that?[/quote]

Exactly. [:|] And to add insult to injury, it was 30 miles each way. [:(]

Oh well, I re-acquainted myself with the organ at Selby Abbey on the way (a CD).

Back to Notre-Dame... I'm surprised I don't seem to have any windpressure info about it - how alarming!

Oh well - at least I will correct a factual error I had earlier posted. The current console was new in 1992, but the manual keys, pedalboard, and thumb pistons were saved from the 1963 console. A bit of internet sleuthing finds that the keys were made by Herrburger Brooks, Long Eaton, Nottingham. The knowledgeable person known as 'pcnd5584' over on the Mander forum also mentioned that the 1992 console was dropped(slightly) when it was being hoisted into position.

[Guest]

Re: Notre Dame, Paris (console question/history)

[quote user="Brandon Tuomikoski"]

O.K. The origional C-C console was replaced with the electric one. BUT DONT WORRY!!!!! THE CONSOLE IS STILL INTACT It is in the museum near the church and It is on display. Quite the organ cosole! Also there is many actual hand written pieces from Vierne!

I am 14 and my grandparents are taking me to France for a month in June. We will be going to the cathedral and I HOPE THE ORGAN IS PLAYING OR AT LEAST I CAN PLAY IT!!![:D] I would find it very interesting if we saw each other there. I would reconize you right away, I have been to your website and seen all your organ videos and I envy you!

[/quote]

Brandon, have you thought of contacting the 'organist titulaire' at Notre Dame to see if he will let you go up and see the organ console? He or one of his staff may even demonstrate the organ for you. It's worth a try. The organist is the famous Oliver Latry.

Another church you might consider visiting for it's organ is Saint Sulpice. It also has five manuals. Daniel Roth, who is organist there is a very nice chap indeed and very talented. You could try contacting him.