Last Sunday a Lent organ concert was held in Saint-Louis cathedral. The cathedral's great organ was commissioned by Louis XV in 1759 and executed by
Louis-Alexandre and François-Henri Clicquot. 12x10 metres (39.37x38.8 ft), it weighs 53
tonnes (116845lb) and has 3131 tubes (VDP had shown it to you before)! It is a wondrous joy to listen to, especially as the guest star of the concert was Samuel Kummer, chief organist of the famous Frauenkirche in Dresden (Germany), who marvellously played four hands with his wife, Irena Renata. VDP isn't a great Camille Saint-Saëns fan so patiently sat through his Carnival of the Animals (admittedly masterfully interpreted) before thoroughly enjoying some Johann-Sebastian Bach, whose 330rd birthday (plus one day) was thus celebrated in Versailles! The concert gave VDP an opportunity to take a few detailed shots of the splendid organ... To listen to Bach interpreted by S. Kummer in his church of Dresden, click here.
Dimanche dernier, le concert d'orgue de carême avait lieu en la cathédrale Saint-Louis. Le grand orgue (que VDP vous avait déjà montré) fut commandé par Louis XV en 1759 et exécuté par Louis-Alexandre et
François-Henri Clicquot. Il mesure 10 x 12 mètres, pèse 53 tonnes et
compte 3131 tuyaux répartis en 46 jeux sur 3 claviers et pédalier. C'est un grand bonheur de pouvoir l'entendre résonner, surtout que dimanche, l'organiste invité n'était autre que Samuel Kummer, l'organiste titulaire de la célèbre Frauenkirche de Dresde qui joua à quatre mains avec son épouse, Irena Renata. VDP n'est pas une énorme fan de Camille Saint-Saëns et attendit donc patiemment durant son carnaval des animaux pourtant magistralement interprété, pour pouvoir pleinement apprécier Jean-Sébastien Bach, célébrant ainsi à Versailles avec un jour de retard le 330ème anniversaire de naissance du compositeur. Le concert fut l'occasion de prendre en photo quelques détails de l'orgue... Pour écouter S. Kummer interpréter du Bach en l'église de Dresde, cliquez ici.
.JPG "Orgue Organ Cathédrale Saint Louis Versailles")
.JPG "Orgue Organ Cathédrale Saint Louis Versailles")
.JPG "Orgue Organ Cathédrale Saint Louis Versailles")
.JPG "Orgue Organ Cathédrale Saint Louis Versailles")
And finally, a not so good picture of Samuel and Irena Renata Kummer!
Et pour finir, une photo un peu ratée de Samuel et Irena Renata Kummer !
.JPG "Orgue Organ Samuel Kummer Versailles")
What a magnificent organ!
ReplyDeleteWonderful stuff, what a magnificent piece of work that organ is. I'll bet the sound quality was amazing...
ReplyDeleteFunctional and so beautiful at the same time!
ReplyDeleteThat is a fantastic organ. And, such a piece of art.
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing the link to the video too. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it!
ReplyDeleteWhat an extraordinary instrument and how nice is must have been to hear it played so masterfully. I love the details you've shown. It's simply gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNice shots. I don't think I would stand too close to those pipes when the music starts.
ReplyDelete53 tonnes, de quoi être étonnés par le poids d'un orgue!
ReplyDeleteMerci for these amazing pictures and facts.
ReplyDeleteExperiencing an organ concert in a cathedral you understand why the ceiling is so high--it's because your soul soars!
What a beautiful instrument! I want to take a trip to Erfurt and surroundings to see Bach's homeground.
ReplyDeleteparfait nous avons l'image et le son
ReplyDeleteWas für eine wundervolle Orgel !
ReplyDeleteWow, very impressive!
ReplyDeleteThe organ is a stunner!
ReplyDeleteOh Lent! I shudder. I'm not ever giving up candy and swearing again.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a spectacular event. Beautiful shots of the organ.
ReplyDeleteAn impressive instrument, so well photographed!
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent work of art. It's gorgeous to look at and I can just imagine the sound.
ReplyDeleteC'est un instrument magnifique dans un lieu superbe ... ils vont bien ensemble
ReplyDeleteOh la! Super detailed shots Ciel.. It's blooming brilliant to be able to see these wonderful details without getting on an aeroplane.
ReplyDeleteOh my! The facade of the organ is nothing short of amazing. I reentry heard an organ concert in a Cathedral and it is wondrous. This one must have been magnificent.
ReplyDelete