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).Thetableontherightsideshowsthemainorganbuildersofthe20th centuryandthenumbersoforganstheybuiltorrestoredand/or renovated.Organbuilderswhichwereprimarelyactiveinthelast decadesofthe20thcenturyarelistedinthetabeladdressingthe organs of the 21th century.ThistableshowsthedominanceofBeuchet-Debierreetal,withMutin, GonzalezandGutschenritterbeingthemaincompetitors.Mutinison 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).Thetablebelowshowsthemainorganbuildersofthe20thcentury andthenumbersoforganstheybuiltorrestoredand/orrenovated. Organbuilderswhichwereprimarelyactiveinthelastdecadesofthe 20thcenturyarelistedinthetabeladdressingtheorgansofthe21th century.ThistableshowsthedominanceofBeuchet-Debierreetal,withMutin, GonzalezandGutschenritterbeingthemaincompetitors.Mutinison top with regard to newly built organs.