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Liverpool Cathedral

picture from:http://www.die-orgelseite.de

The Organ in the Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool

The Grand Organ is the largest organ in the UK and one of the largest operational organs in the world. The famous Tuba Magna (on 50" pressure) is one of the loudest organ stops in the world. It has recently been joined by a Trompette Militaire.

The construction of the organ was begun in 1923 by Henry Willis and part of the organ was used at the consecration of the cathedral in the following year. The organ was not completed until 1926.



Most of the organ sits in two cases on opposite sides of the choir.
There are eight manual divisions: the Great, Solo, and Bombarde organs occupy the South case; the Swell, Choir, and Positif occupy the North case; the Corona organ is installed in a special gallery high up under the tower; the Central organ, to support large congregations, is in a gallery above the Rankin porch. The Pedal organ is distributed between both North and South cases in the choir.

There are two five-manual consoles: one up in a gallery under the North case and a mobile recital console. The Choir and Positif organs are played from the same keyboard, the Corona organ can be played from either the Choir or Bombarde keyboard, the Central organ can be played from either the Great or Bombarde keyboard.



Other milestones in the history of the instrument:

* 1958-60: complete overhaul and modernisation including major changes to the Choir organ, and the installation of humidifiers.

* 1965: a donation from Lady Harvey provided a two-manual mobile console to be used in the choir for accompanying small services.

* 1977: general overhaul by Harrison and Harrison.

* 1989: a donation from Victor Hutson allowed the two-manual console to be replaced by a full five-manual console suitable for recitals.

* 1998: a donation from Alan Dronsfield provided the high powered Trompette Militaire.

* 2007: a donation from the McKinley family in memory of Eleanor Wright provided the Central Space organ.



The cathedral has its own homepage.
http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=E00301#PhotoSection

stops pipes
------------------------
great 29 2257
swell 31 2375
choir 23 1764
solo 22 1459
bombarde 5 854
corona 1 61
central 6 502
pedal 35 996
-----------------------
total 152 10268

With 44 couplers the total number of registers comes to 196.

DISPOSITION

Great

Contra Violone 32
Double Open Diapason 16
Contra Tibia 16
Bourdon 16
Double Quint 10 2/3
Open Diapason no 1 8
Open Diapason no 2 8
Open Diapason no 3 8picture from:http://www.die-orgelseite.de
Open Diapason no 4 8
Open Diapason no 5 8
Tibia 8
Doppel Flöte 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Quint 5 1/3
Octave no 1 4
Octave no 2 4
Principal 4
Gemshorn 4
Flûte Couverte 4
Tenth 3
Twelfth 2 2/3
Super Octave 2
Fifteenth 2
Mixture (12.15.19.21.22)
Fourniture (19.22.24.26.29)
Double Trumpet 16 (harmonic trebles)
Trompette Harmonique 8
Trumpet 8 (harmonic trebles)
Clarion 4 (harmonic trebles)

Grand Chorus on Great

Swell (enclosed)

Contra Geigen 16 5"
Contra Salicional 16 5"
Lieblich Bourdon 16 5"
Open Diapason 8 5"
Geigen 8 5"
Tibia 8 7"
Wald Flöte 8 5"
Lieblich Gedact 8 5"
Echo Viola 8 5"
Salicional 8 5"
Vox Angelica 8 (down to FF) 5"
Octave 4 5"
Octave Geigen 4 5"
Salicet 4 5"
Lieblich Flöte 4 5"
Nazard 2 2/3 5"
Fifteenth 2 5"
Lieblich Piccolo 2 5"
Seventeenth 1 3/5 5"
Sesquialtera (10.12.17.19.22) 5"
Mixture (15.19.22.26.29) 5"
Contra Hautboy 16 7"
Hautboy 8 7"
Krummhorn 8 7"
Waldhorn 16 (harmonic)
Cornopean 8 (harmonic)
Clarion 4 (harmonic)
Double Trumpet 16 (harmonic)
Trompette Harmonique 8
Trumpet 8 (harmonic trebles)
Octave Trumpet 4 (harmonic trebles)

Tremulant 5" wind
Tremulant 7" wind

Choir - Positive

Gedact 8
Spitz principal 4
Nasât 2 2/3
Coppel 2
Terz 1 3/5
Spitzflöte 1
Cimbel (29.33.36)

Choir (enclosed)

Contra Viola 16
Violin Diapason 8
Viola 8
Claribel Flute 8
Unda Maris 8 (down to FF)
Octave Viola 4
Suabe Flöte 4
Octavin 2
Dulciana Mixture (10.12.17.19.22)
Bass Clarinet 16
Baryton 16
Corno di Bassetto 8
Cor Anglais 8
Vox Humana 8
Trumpette 8 (harmonic)
Clarion 4 (harmonic)

Tremulant

Solo (partially enclosed)

Contra Hohl Flöte 16 (unenclosed)
Hohl Flöte 8 (unenclosed)
Octave Hohl Flöte 4 (unenclosed)

Contra Viole 16
Viole d'Orchestre 8
Viole de Gambe 8
Violes Célèstes 8 (down to FF)
Flûte Harmonique 8
Octave Viole 4
Concert Flute 4 (harmonic)
Violette 2
Piccolo Harmonique 2
Cornet des Violes (10.12.15)
Cor Anglais 16
Orchestral Clarinet 8
Orchestral Oboe 8
Orchestral Bassoon 8
French Horn 8
Contra Tromba 16
Tromba Real 8 (harmonic)
Tromba 8 (harmonic)
Tromba Clarion 4 (harmonic)

Solo Trombas on Great
Tremulant

Bombarde

Grand Chorus (subunison.unison.5.8.12.
15.19.22.26.29)
Contra Tuba 16 (harmonic)
Tuba 8 (harmonic)
Tuba Clarion 4 (harmonic)
Tuba Magna 8 (harmonic, pressure 50")

Corona

Trompette Militaire 8 (pressure 50")

Corona on Bombarde
Corona on Choir

Central Space Manual

Bourdon 16
Open Diapason 8
Principal 4
Super Octave 2
Mixture (6 ranks)

Pedal

Bourdon 16

Pedal (partially enclosed)

Resultant Bass 64
Double Open Bass 32
Double Open Diapason 32
Contra Violone 32
Open Bass 16
Tibia 16
Open Diapason 16
Contra Basso 16
Geigen 16 (enclosed)
Violon 16 (enclosed)
Dolce 16
Bourdon 16
Sub Bass 16
Principal 8
Violoncello 8 (enclosed)
Violone 8
Stopped Flute 8
Open Flute 8 (enclosed)
Bass Flute 8
Fifteenth 4
Gedact 4
Flûte Triangulaire 4 (enclosed)
Octave Flute 4
Mixture (15.19.22)
Fourniture (15.19.22.26.29)
Fagotto 16 (enclosed)
Octave Bassoon 8 (enclosed)
Contra Trombone 32 (enclosed)
Trombone 16 (enclosed)
Ophicleide 16
Clarion 8
Contra Bombarde 32
Bombarde 16
Bombarde 8
Bombarde 4

Couplers
There are Octave, Sub-Octave and Unison-Off couplers on the Bombarde, Solo, Swell and Choir organs. The Corona and Central organs have Octave and Sub-Octave couplers.

Bombarde to Choir
Solo to Choir
Swell to Choir
Great to Choir

Bombarde to Great
Solo to Great
Swell to Great
Choir to Great

Solo to Swell
Great to Bombarde

Bombarde to Pedal
Solo Tenor Solo to Pedal
Solo to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Great to Pedal
Choir to Pedal






Overture to the occasional Oratorio' by G.F. Handel (arr. W.H. Goss-Custard).

Organ Notre Dame Paris

The Organ

* The medieval organ: 1403-1730

The history of organs in Notre-Dame began around 1330. The first instrument was located in a bird's nest located under a high window in the nave.

By 1400, it was decided to install a second instrument on a high and narrow stone gallery above the western portal while the old organ will still be used. This new organ was completed on October 25, 1403. A major restoration began in 1473 and would last 50 years. Many modifications to the instrument were carried out including the restoration of a large number of pipes. In 1609, in order to add a second manual keyboard, the pedalboard and its action were removed.

The instrument has three normal tonal structures and about 2000 pipes: a plenum, a flue chorus and a battery of reeds. A third manual keyboard is added in 1620 and a fourth one, in 1672. From this instrument, only twelve pipes are extant.

* The classical organ: 1730-1838

When, in 1730, it was finally decided to order a new organ, France was entering into the "Age of Enlightenment" and medieval woodworking was to disappear. The contract is awarded to François Thierry. The instrument was completely redesigned: the new keyboards have 50 notes, C1 to d5, and to the four classic manuals, a new one is added as third manual: Bombarde. The Grand-Orgue has a 32' Montre and a Plein Jeu on 4 octaves. The battery of reeds now includes a Bombarde and a second Trompette. Récit and Écho manuals are as usual. The pedal division is enlarged. The new large main organ case, in a Louis XV style not yet completely free of the rigidity of the "Great Age", is installed higher and partly hides the west rose window. This organ will be used for the next fifty years.

In 1783, François-Henri Clicquot intervenes. To make room in the Positif division, a new Louis XVI style organ case is built by Caillou. All the stops of this division are rebuilt except for the 8' Bourdon and the Cornet. A 16' Bourdon is added and a 8' Flute replaces the 4' Flute. In the Grand-Orgue division, almost all tin pipes are replaced without any tonal change. In order to have an 8' Flute, it was considered to uncap the Bourdon. New reeds replace the old ones. A Trompette is added in the Bombarde division. The Écho division is rebuilt according to Clicquot's principles: Flute, Bourdon, Trompette and Clairon. The pedal division is again enlarged. The organ case is enlarged up to the exterior walls with Louis XVI panels topped by large wooden palm trees.

During the Revolution, the organ was used for many festivities but, even it was threatened by revolutionnary decrees, the instrument only suffered from years of neglect as was the fate of many French organs during that period. Only monarchy-reminding ornamental elements and fleurs de lys located on the basement portion of the organ case were cut out.

In 1828, the general condition of the organ was not good at all. Soon after began the restoration work on the building itself by Lassus and Violet-le-Duc. Dust accumulated in the pipework, fatigue appeared in the difficult winding system, while rain and wind were coming in from the stained-glass windows being restored. These conditions lead to an intervention from Louis-Paul Dallery, the last Dallery organbuilder, who proposed a tune-up with simple modifications to the winding system.

* The symphonic organ

As the architectural restoration works used up all the available credits, Viollet-le-Duc ordered an instrument worthy of a cathedral but without luxuries and worthless research. All existing material should be reused as much as possible. The project, presented in 1862, called for "a first-class instrument (four manuals and pedal) large enough for the church".

Restoration work on the organ began in June 1864 under the supervision of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. Two situations were deplorable: first, the Positif case had been removed by Viollet-le-Duc and second, the gallery would not be lowered. The large main organ case is brought forward in order to gain depth and to layout windchests on separate floors. All voices should produce a tutti where every sound can blend with each other, be powerful and fill the large church.

From these requirements, progressive mixtures and mutations up to VII were added throughout the manuals and introduced in order to ensure a close bond between the foundations stops and the reed stops and, at the same time, to add brightness. By choosing the use of separate wind and different pressures between tonal divisions and between the bass and treble in the same division, an ascending harmony was possible. In order to alleviate the mechanical action, he installed, like he had done at St. Sulpice, pneumatic lever machines developed by British organ builder Barker in 1839.

The Notre-Dame organ was first heard, on Christmas Day 1867, as part of the World Fair without being in the competition. The instrument was officially received, in February 1868, by an international commission.

Vierne Hymne au Soleil 

by Pierre Moreau

In 1904, a restoration was carried out by Charles Mutin. Appointed in 1900, titular organist Louis Vierne asked for the Clarinette and the Dulciane from the Récit be replaced with an 8' Diapason, a 4' Octave and, a Fourniture IV. The harmonic lower notes from the Bombarde and Trompette in the Récit division were replaced with full-length pipes. It was the first neo-classical change.

In 1924, electric blowers are installed.

In 1932, Joseph Beuchet carried out a second restoration with modifications to the stop list: in the Pedal division, a 16' Violoncelle and a 8' Bourdon are added; in the Grand-Choeur division, an 8' Flute is added; in the Récit division, a Cymbel replaces the Nasard which is transferred to the Positif division replacing the Piccolo.

Under the supervision of Pierre Cochereau, in 1963, the following modifications were carried out by Jean Hermann and Robert Boisseau: the Pedal division now has 30 stops with the addition of an 11-stop Small Pedal division; creation of a 32' Plenum in the classical tradition leading to a new layout of the Plein Jeu on the five manuals; creation of a more powerful and more classic Reeds Grand Choeur; creation of a small 2-stop classic Récit; removal of the Barker machines, new console, new electric action, electronic combinations.

* Computer Contribution

In 1989, the Ministry of Culture decided to launch a complete restoration of the instrument including the modernization of the action. The contract was awarded, in 1990, to Jean-Loup Boisseau and his associate, Bertrand Cattiaux.

The restoration brought together two worlds which were, until then, complete strangers to one another: organ building (organ building firms Boisseau, Emeriau, Giroud) and computing (Synaptel). On one side, high-level workmanship in a country where the organ building heritage is very rich and where historic organ restoration policies, carried out by the State and the municipalities, allowed the training of internationally renowned organ builders. On the other side, the world of engineers, computer system integrators in aeronautics, astronautics or telecommunications industries.

Close to 900 wooden pipes were brush-cleaned, compressor-cleaned, repainted and restained; 7000 others were ultrasound-cleaned in a water bath; the Principals in the Grand-Orgue and Positif divisions received new tuning slots; 8' and 4' chamades were added in the Grand-Orgue division. Other accessories were also added.

The console and the transmissions were refurbished by Synaptel and everything is now under the digital control of seven computers. With this unique system, the organist can memorize, work and restore his performances. He can set the touch depth of manuals to correspond to the valve opening timing. He has access to a combination editing and generating software that will let him create, modify, memorize, on disks, a multitude of combinations. With the MIDI gateway, he can hear himself, after he has completed a performance, in order to evaluate his performance or his registration.

SUMMARY OF History

1402

an old organ is moved to the present location and inserted into a gothic organ-case

1730

the organ'case is replaced by the present LOUIS XVI one the organ is enhanced to 5 manuals and 46 stops many pipes kept from earlier centuries of which 12 in use today have been salvaged from previous centuries

1830

back to 4 manuals including an "expression" manual

1864 - 1867

enhanced and rebuilt by Cavaille-Coll 5 manuals and 86 stops among other players: Saint-Saens and Cesar Franck  pneumatic assistance: 'Barker lever'

1900 - 1937

Louis Vierne was the organist 1932: partly electric/partly pneumatic action installed

1959

fully electrified: manuals and relays (excluding the Barker lever) but this old architecture was consisted of ... 700 kilometers of cables (yes, you are reading correctly !) problems of oxydation and ... unpredictable breakdowns

April 1990 - December 1992 (closeup)

computers and local area networks controlled

The Organists

Among the most famous titular organists, there are, along with their dates of tenure:
o Charles Raquet (1618-1640)
o Louis-Claude Dacquin (1755-1772)
o Armand-Louis Couperin (1760-1790)
o Louis Vierne (1900-1937)
o Léonce de Saint-Martin (1937-1954)
o Pierre Cochereau (1954-1984)

Since 1985, the titular organists are Olivier Latry, Philippe Lefebvre, and Jean-Pierre Leguay.


MAIN Organ

Thierry (1733) / F.H. Cliquot (1788) / Cavaillée-Coll (1867) / Hermann (1959) / Boisseau (1960 et suivantes) / Boisseau-Emeriau-Giroud-Synaptel (1992)
• 5 manuals and pedal
• 110 stops, 153 ranks, ~7,000 pipes
• Electric and electronic action

Chancel Organ

Boisseau (1968)
• 2 manuals and pedal
• 30 stops, 38 ranks
• Mechanical key action
• Electric stop action

DISPOSITION

GRANDE ORGUE

Violon-basse 16'
Bourdon 16'
Montre 8'
Flûte harmonique 8'
Bourdon 8'
Viole de gambe 8'
Prestant 4'
Octave 4'
Doublette 2'
Fourniture 4' II-V
Cymbale 2 2/3' II-V
Bombarde 16'
Trompette 8'
Clairon 4'
1Trompette harmonique 8'
1Clairon harmonique 4'

POSITIF

Montre 16'
Bourdon 16'
Salicional 8'
Unda maris 8'
Flûte harmonique 8'
Bourdon 8'
Prestant 4'
Flûte douce 4'
Nazard 2 2/3'
Doublette 2'
Tierce 1 3/5'
Fourniture V
Cymbale V
Clarinette 16'
Clarinette 8'
Clarinette 4'

RECIT (un-enclosed)

4Cornet 8' V
4Hautbois 8'

RECIT (enclosed)

Quintaton 16'
Diapason 8'
Gambe 8'
Voix céleste 8'
Flûte traversière 8'
Bourdon 8'
Octave 4'
Flûte octaviante 4'
Quinte 2 2/3'
Octavin 2'
Bombarde 16'
Trompette 8'
Basson-Hautbois 8'
Clarinette 8'
Voix humaine 8'
Clairon 4'

CHAMADES

1re Trompette 8'
1er Clairon 4'
3Régale 2'-16'
22è Trompette 8'
22è Clairon 4'

SOLO

Bourdon 32'
Principal 16'
Montre 8'
Flûte harmonique 8'
Grande quinte 5 1/3'
Prestant 4'
Grande tierce 3 1/5'
Quinte 2 2/3'
Septième 2 2/7'
Doublette 2'
Grande fourniture 4' II
Fourniture 2' V
Cornet 2' II-V
Cymbale 1' V
Cromorne 8'
2Trompette harmonique 8'
2Clairon harmonique 4'

GRANDE CHOEUR

Principal 8'
Bourdon 8'
Prestant 4'
Quinte 2 2/3'
Doublette 2'
Tierce 1 3/5'
Larigot 1 1/3'
Septième 1 1/7'
Piccolo 1'
Cymbale IV-VI
Tuba Magna 16'
Trompette 8'
Clairon 4'

GRANDE PEDALE

Principal 32'
Contrebasse 16'
Soubasse 16'
Grosse quinte 10 2/3'
Flûte 8'
Violoncelle 8'
Grande Tierce 6 2/5'
Quinte 5 1/3'
Septième 4 4/7'
Octave 4'
Contre-Bombarde 32'
Bombarde 16'
Basson 16'
Trompette 8'
Basson 8'
Clairon 4'

PETITE PEDALE

Bourdon 8'
Flûte à cheminée 4'
Grande tierce 3 1/5'
Quinte 2 2/3'
Flûte 2'
Piccolo 1'
Tierce 1 3/5'
Larigot 1 1/3'
Fourniture III
Cymbale IV
Sordun 16'
Chalumeau 4'
Clairon 2'

Légende / Legend:

1		En chamade / Horizontal
2		Provenant du Grand-Orgue / From Grand-Orgue
3		Régale 2' = C-g1
4		aigu / treble

Accouplements / Couplers:
• au Grand-Orgue / to Grand-Orgue
Positif 8,4; Récit 16,8,4; Solo 8, Grand-Choeur 8, Pédale 8
• au Positif / to Positif
Récit 8; Solo 8; Grand-Choeur 8
• au Récit / to Récit
Solo 8, Grand-Choeur 8
• au Grand-Choeur / to Grand-Choeur
Solo 8
• à la Pédale / to Pedal
Grand-Orgue 8; Positif 8,4; Récit 8,4; Solo 8,4; Choeur 8
Des accouplements additionnels peuvent être créés au moyen du système d'ordinateur. / Additional couplers can be created using the computer system.
Combinaisons / Combinations:
• Appel chamade / Chamade ON
• Appel des anches / Reeds ON: Pédale, Grand-Orgue, Positif, Récit, Grand-Choeur, Chamades
• Inversion du Positif et Grand-Orgue / Inversion between Positif and Grand-Orgue manuals
• Division de la Pédale / Divided pedal
• Sostenuto et/and Plein Jeu
Autres caractéristiques / Other Details:
• Buffet du XVIIIe siècle / 18th-century organ case
• Étendue des claviers / Manual compass: 56 notes
• Étendue du pédalier / Pedal compass: 32 notes
• Trémolo: Récit
• Octaves graves de tous les claviers / Bass octave on all manuals
• Ordre des claviers programmable / Programmable sequence of manuals
• Combinateur électronique et système d'ordinateur / Electronic combinator and computer system

---

DISPOSITON CHANCEL ORGAN

GRANDE ORGAN

Bourdon 16'
Montre 8'
Bourdon 8'
Prestant 4'
Nasard 2 2/3'
Tierce 1 3/5'
Fourniture III
Cymbale IV
Trompette 8'
Clairon 4'
Dessus en chamade 8'

POSITIF

Bourdon 8'
Prestant 4'
Flûte 4'
Nasard 2 2/3'
Doublette 2'
Tierce 1 3/5'
Larigot 1 1/3'
Cymbale III
Régale 16'
Cromorne 8'

PEDALE

Flûte	16'
Bourdon	16'
Flûte	8'
Flûte	4'
Flûte	2'
Bombarde	16'
Trompette	8'
Clairon	4'

Autres caractéristiques / Other Details:
• Buffet du XIXe siècle / 19th-century organ case
• Étendue des claviers / Manual compass: 56 notes
• Étendue du pédalier / Pedal compass: 30 notes
• Accouplements / Couplers: POS/GO; GO/PED; POS/PED

Organ Paris Notre Dame Cathedral Cochereau Plays Messiaen

YOU CAN LISTEN TO ANY (OR ALL) OF THE FOLLOWING RECORDINGS OF THE NOTRE DAME PARIS ORGAN BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW:
TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE AFTER LISTENING, CLICK "BACK" ON YOUR BROWSER.

Bach @ Notre Dame de Paris Pipe Organ: Vierne P...
YouTube - Notre Dame Cathedral Paris Pipe Organ Gigout Toccata
YouTube - Olivier Latry at the organ at the Cathedral of Notre Dame
YouTube - Marie Claire Allain Toccata by Eugene Gigout
YouTube - Charles-Marie Widor: Toccata en fa majeur
YouTube - Louis Vierne - Carillon de Westminster
YouTube - Sortie Duet Notre Dame De ParisYouTube - Oliver Latry - Daquin Étranger
Léonce de St Martin improvises at Notre Dame (1)
Léonce de St Martin improvises at Notre Dame (2)
Notre Dame Cathedral Pipe Organ Paris Cochereau Messiaen
Notre-Dame de Paris - Part B
Philippe LEFEBVRE: Vêpres à Notre-Dame de Paris
Philippe LEFEBVRE, à Notre-Dame de Paris
Communion à Notre-Dame de Paris
Louis Vierne Symphonie No. 1 "Final" by Pierre Cochereau
SAINT-SAENS à Notre Dame de Paris (concert 1997)
organ music at Notre-Dame in Paris
Pierre Cochereau Improvises at Notre Dame de Paris
Pipe Organ Notre Dame Cathedral Paris Vierne Clair de Lune

dated 1929: Vierne videos:

YouTube - Pipe Organ: Vierne Plays Bach at Notre Dame de Paris
YouTube - Pipe Organ: Vierne Plays Vierne at Notre Dame de Paris (2)
YouTube - Notre Dame de Paris Pipe Organ Vierne Plays Vierne (3)
YouTube - Notre Dame de Paris Pipe Organ Vierne Plays Vierne (4)

YouTube - Louis Vierne Filmed at Notre Dame de Paris

Organ Mormon Tabernacle