All organ builders
who worked in Paris before the revolution
Organ builders in the 17th and early
18th century 1/2
The Thierry dynasty
Founder Pierre Thierry (1604-1665) learned his skills from Valeran De
Héman and Carlier (St Nicolas-des-Champs). Later he set up on his
own workshop. He can be seen as Carlier’s successor. His
masterpiece was the St Germain-des-Prés organ (1661). On the death
of his associate Pierre Desenclos in 1664 he became facteur du roi. In
addition to his son Alexandre Thierry, two of his other sons became
organ builders: Jean (1638-1689) and Charles (1641-??).
His son Alexandre Thierry (1646-1699) established himself as the
leading French organ builder of his time with the completion of the
organ at St Séverin in 1675 (built in collaboration with his brother
Charles). He also built the organ at St. Louis des Invalides (1687).
Towards the end of his life, he worked with Hippolyte Ducastel (Notre
Dame, 1691) and Robert and Jean Baptiste Clicquot.
François Thierry (1677-1749) was a nephew and a pupil of Alexandre
Thierry and the last representative of the Thierry-dynasty. He learned
his skills with his uncle (Alexandre), Pierre-François Deslandes and
Henri Lesclop. He completely reconstructed the organ at Notre
Dame, Paris (1730–33; apparently the first organ to be built with a
separate Bombarde manual). Andreas Silbermann worked for him
between 1704 and 1706.
More information on Thierry…
Photo’s: St Louis des Invalides - Notre-Dame-de-Paris
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