The organs of Paris
ORGANS OF PARIS © 2024 Vincent Hildebrandt HOME ALL ORGANS

Kern

The House of Kern is a dynasty of Alsatian organ builders. The company was founded in 1953 by Alfred Kern (1910-1989) in Strasbourg-Cronenbourg, who went into partnership for a time with his brother-in-law Ernest Muhleisen (from 1946), set up his own business. The two builders did their apprenticeship together with the organbuilder Roethinger in Strasbourg-Schiltigheim. Very quickly, Alfred Kern took a very close interest in the rediscovery of ancient craftsmanship, represented by Jean-André Silbermann in Alsace. This was followed by numerous restorations and the construction of many new organs. The (re)construction of the organ in St Séverin will mark an important stage in the career of the Strasbourg organ builder. Alfred Kern's career came to a climax in 1981 with the (re)construction of the great organ of Strasbourg Cathedral, in the historic case of 1491. He was then succeeded by his son, Daniel Kern (1950-2019) and his son Olivier Kern . It was a fruitful collaboration that resulted in the construction of numerous organs in Japan, Russia and Europe. In 2002, the Daniel Kern Organ Factory merged with that of his great-nephew Gaston Kern , who had settled in Hattmat, when he retired. This company specialized in the restoration of Silbermann organs. Unfortunately, Kern closed its doors in 2015 due to bankruptcy, mainly due to non-payment of its creditors. Daniel Kern passed away on August 15, 2019.
Sainte Jeanne de Chantal (1977)

Parisian organs built by Kern

Notre-Dame-des-Blancs-Manteaux OdC (1971) Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot Orgue de chœur (1974) Saint Michael’s Anglican church (1976) Sainte-Jeanne de Chantal (1977)

Parisian organs restored/rebuilt by Kern

Saint-Séverin (1963) Saint Jacques du Haut Pas (1971) Notre-Dame de Victoires (1973)
Organs of Paris

Kern

ORGANS OF PARIS © 2024 Vincent Hildebrandt ALL ORGANS
Sainte Jeanne de Chantal (1977)

Parisian organs built by Kern

Notre-Dame-des-Blancs-Manteaux OdC (1971) Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot Orgue de chœur (1974) Saint Michael’s Anglican church (1976) Sainte-Jeanne de Chantal (1977)

Parisian organs restored/rebuilt by Kern

Saint-Séverin (1963) Saint Jacques du Haut Pas (1971) Notre-Dame de Victoires (1973)
The House of Kern is a dynasty of Alsatian organ builders. The company was founded in 1953 by Alfred Kern (1910- 1989) in Strasbourg-Cronenbourg, who went into partnership for a time with his brother-in-law Ernest Muhleisen (from 1946), set up his own business. The two builders did their apprenticeship together with the organbuilder Roethinger in Strasbourg-Schiltigheim. Very quickly, Alfred Kern took a very close interest in the rediscovery of ancient craftsmanship, represented by Jean- André Silbermann in Alsace. This was followed by numerous restorations and the construction of many new organs. The (re)construction of the organ in St Séverin will mark an important stage in the career of the Strasbourg organ builder. Alfred Kern's career came to a climax in 1981 with the (re)construction of the great organ of Strasbourg Cathedral, in the historic case of 1491. He was then succeeded by his son, Daniel Kern (1950- 2019) and his son Olivier Kern . It was a fruitful collaboration that resulted in the construction of numerous organs in Japan, Russia and Europe. In 2002, the Daniel Kern Organ Factory merged with that of his great-nephew Gaston Kern , who had settled in Hattmat, when he retired. This company specialized in the restoration of Silbermann organs. Unfortunately, Kern closed its doors in 2015 due to bankruptcy, mainly due to non-payment of its creditors. Daniel Kern passed away on August 15, 2019.