The organs of Paris
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After the revolution

(1) Organs built in the 19th century

(2) Organs built in the 20th century

(3) Organs built in the 21th century

The 20th century: back to basics! The first decades of the 20st century are dominated by Mutin (successor of Cavaillé-Coll), who elaborates on the symphonic organ as created by Cavaillé-Coll. However, as time proceeds, a new generation of organists, composers and builders is growing up, which becomes increasingly interested in the ‘old’ music and new musical languages, which called for another type of organ. The organ builder Gonzalez, leader of the group ‘Les amis d’orgue’ together with André Marchal, Norbert Dufourcq and Bérenger de Miramon Fitz-James takes the lead in creating a new organ type which was meant to allow playing both ‘old’ and ‘modern’ music. Other leading organ builders in this century are Gutschenritter (successor of Merklin) and in particular Beuchet-Debierre, following a similar artistic road. In the last decades of the 20th century, views are shifting again: a growing interest in the 19th century symphonic organs is seen, giving birth to a more conservative restoration policy. The leading builder in these decades is Dargassies (from the former Gonzalez firm). The table on the right side shows the main organ builders of the 20th century and the numbers of organs they built or restored and/or renovated. Organ builders which were primarely active in the last decades of the 20th century are listed in the tabel addressing the organs of the 21th century . This table shows the dominance of Beuchet-Debierre et al, with Mutin, Gonzalez and Gutschenritter being the main competitors. Mutin is on top with regard to newly built organs.
Organs of Paris

After the revolution -

Organs built in the 20th century

The 20th century: back to basics! The first decades of the 20st century are dominated by Mutin (successor of Cavaillé-Coll) as the leading builder, who elaborates on the symphonic organ as created by Cavaillé-Coll. However, as time proceeds, a new generation of organists, composers and builders is growing up, which becomes increasingly interested in the ‘old’ music and new musical languages, which calls for another type of organ. The organ builder Gonzalez, leader of the group ‘Les amis d’orgue’ together with André Marchal, Norbert Dufourcq and Bérenger de Miramon Fitz-James takes the lead in creating a new organ type which was meant to allow playing both ‘old’ and ‘modern’ music. Other leading organ builders in this century are Gutschenritter (successor of Merklin) and in particular Beuchet- Debierre, following a similar artistic road. In the last decades of the 20th century, views are shifting again: a growing interest in the 19th century symphonic organs is seen, giving birth to a more conservative restoration policy. The leading builder in these decades is Dargassies (from the former Gonzalez firm). The table below shows the main organ builders of the 20th century and the numbers of organs they built or restored and/or renovated. Organ builders which were primarely active in the last decades of the 20th century are listed in the tabel addressing the organs of the 21th century . This table shows the dominance of Beuchet-Debierre et al, with Mutin, Gonzalez and Gutschenritter being the main competitors. Mutin is on top with regard to newly built organs.
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19th century - 20th century - 21th century