Sainte-Trinité

Place d'Estienne d'Orves, 75009 Paris

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C3 1884-1869 The great organ is one of Cavaillé-Coll's major works. Commissioned in 1864, it was inaugurated in 1869 by Camille Saint-Saëns, César Franck, Alexis Chauvet (the first titulaire), Henri Fissot and Charles-Marie Widor. 1871 The instrument. being considerably deteriorated during the events of the Commune, was completely rebuilt in 1871 by Cavaillé-Coll. The organ had 46 stops on 3 keyboards and pedalboard. Apart from the replacement of the Doublette 2' by the Quinte 2 2/3', the organ will remain so until 1901. 1901 Mutin or Merklin made several modifications. 1934-1935 A major restoration was carried out by Pleyel-Cavaillé-Coll including • a complete restoration of the mechanics • dusting of the pipes • revoicing of old stops • addition of seven new stops POS: Principal 8', Cor de nuit 8', Nasard 2 2/3', Tierce 1 3/5; REC: Bourdon 16', Nasard 2 2/3, Cymbalee III), • addition of two combination pedals (introduction of the Pedal, low octave on the Great Organ) • removal of the 4' Flutes from the reed windchest and their installation on that of the foundation stops • addition of Barker levers to the Positive. The organ now has 53 stops. 1962-1967 Beuchet-Debierre carried out a third restoration and enlargement. The program of work included • complete electrification of the organ • the installation of a new console (the old one was dismantled and destroyed) • additional upper boards to the GO and Positive • appearance of a combinator with adjustable combinations • appearance of an expressive box to the Positive for the Cornet (decomposed) + Piccolo and Clarinet • addition of 7 stops: POS: Clairon 4', Flageolet 2', Fourniture IV; REC: Bombarde 16', Tierce 1 3/5'; GO: Cymbalee IV; PED: Plein Jeu IV. According to correspondence between Messiaen and Eugène Picaud (one of Beuchet's employees), Messiaen insisted that the stamps of Cavaillé-Coll remain unchanged. The organ now has 60 stops. 1984 Sebire & Glandaz carried out some work. Olivier Messiaen asks that some background stops have a greater sound presence by increasing the intensity gradually towards the treble. Some reeds will also be increased in intensity and strength. Some teeth are reduced so that the whole is less "gambé" and that the attack of the notes is particularly clear and that the voicinggives each stop a very specific luminosity. The highest pipes of the Piccolo are replaced by pipes of larger size. 1992-1993 Sebire & Glandaz carried out a complete overhaul of the organ. Olivier Messiaen wants the Cymbale of the Great Organ to be reduced. At his request, the fourth row is blocked on the entire extent of the keyboard except the last five notes and the third rank is also blocked on the large expanse of the keyboard (ut1 – sol3). In addition, the work includes: • All the pipes are removed, inspected, cleaned, and adjusted • Almost all of the pipe leadings are replaced. • The console is rewired. • The note and stop actions are overhauled. • A complete cleaning is carried out. • The organ is re‑voiced and given a full tuning. The total number of stops increased to 61 after the 1962–1967 enlargement (+ GO Doublette 2’). In 2004, overhaul by Olivier Glandaz. An interesting detail to note: this organ has no case, only a façade. The instrument itself stands behind it, directly on the stone floor!

Titular organist Thomas Lacôte (titulaire), Jean-François Hatton (titulaire adjoint), Loïc Mallié (titulaire honoraire) Organistes célèbres ayants illustré l’orgue par le passé : Charles-Alexis Chauvet, Alexandre Guilmant, Olivier Messiaen, Naji Hakim Parish website Videos Thomas Lacôte Karol Mossakowski photo Case: Jeroen de Haan Eglise: Vincent Hildebrandt