Saint-Lambert de Vaugirard is the work of the architect Claude Naissant. It is one of the most beautiful examples of neo-Romanesque architecture in Paris. Built between 1848 and 1856, its interior offers a relatively stripped-down universe, including the magnificent neo-Gothic altarpiece of the axial chapel with its angels, one of them playing the portable organ and, in the left transept, a panel which represents Saint Lambert, surrounded by episodes of his life, made by Dorothée Sers-Hermann.
C1The present instrument was built by Louis Debierre from Nantes in 1901, replacing a modest 12-stop organ behind the choir, built by Merklin. Until that time, only an empty buffet was installed on the tribune, but, topped with a single row of façade pipes, there was an illusion of the presence of a large organ. In 1950, Joseph Beuchet-Debierre restored and enlarged the instrument by bringing it from 32 to 35 stops. Various maintenance works were carried out by Beuchet-Debierre in 1972, by Sébire & Glandaz in 1986 and by Bernard Dargassies in 1999.The console, signed by ‘Louis Debierre de Nantes’ and composed of 3 keyboards of 56 notes and a German 30-note concave pedal, is separated from the organ case (the organist facing the organ). It is concealed by an oak façade with a clock in its centre and topped by a pediment in the neo-Gothic style of the buffet.The three keyboards are mechanically powered by a Barker machine*, traction is mechanical for the pedal and pneumatic for the stops. The instrument has 35 stops of high quality pipes almost entirely signed by Louis Debierre.(Text: Thierry Correard, translated into English by OrgansofParis)This organ has a special, unique system of Debierre to adjust, on the keyboards, the pressing of the key and the drawing of the valves, which allows to remedy small occasional unwanted noises (‘cornements’) due to bad climatic conditions in the church. There are only three modifications made to this instrument in the past, by Beuchet-Debierre in 1950: on the GO the Gambe 4 was replaced by a Doublette 2, on the Positif a Nasard et Tierce were added and on the Swell a Plein Jeu III.This is the only organ of Louis Debierre still existent in Paris (besides the poyphone at the ‘Chapelle des missions étrangères’). *the patented Debierre version of the Barker machine
In the plan to maintain the cultural heritage of the City of Paris, this organ is among the instruments, classified as Historic Monuments, requiring a (partial) restoration.Restoration issuesThe organ of Saint-Lambert-de-Vaugirard was built in 1901 by the Nantes postman Louis Debierre. This instrument underwent few transformations except a complete lift in the 1950s carried out by BeuchetDebierre, then regular maintenance and repair work. Thus, although some games were transformed or replaced in the instrument, the organ of the Church of Saint-Lambert-de-Vaugirard remained quite close to its original state. As the only significant grandstand instrument installed by Louis Debierre in Paris, this instrument has a definite heritage interest, and characterizes the technique as a major organ factor in the history of organist technique. For several years, the association of friends of the organ of Saint-Lambert-de-Vaugirard (AOSL) wishes, in agreement with its organist Mr. Dekeister, improvements and an evolution of the instrument. The financing of this operation would be provided in part by the patronage generated by the AOSL. A preliminary study was carried out in July 2013 to identify organ design work in accordance with the wishes expressed by users, while ensuring that the heritage character of the instrument is preserved. As this instrument is not protected under the Historic Monuments, the specifications of the operation can be designed by the City's services.The chosen program meets the need for improvements in the operation of the organ (wind stability, reliability of the mechanics), sufficient flow (installation of a complementary turbine) and options for the game of the organist (serious octave of the story on itself, 32' game at the Pedal and call of the tirasses to the feet in separate mode). This work may be the subject of three ordered tranches in order of priority, with some actions to be carried out in the same instalment. Call to Patronage: 105.000 euros, exclusive the costs of mastering the project, which will be taken care of by the City of Paris.Source
C1The present instrument was built by Louis Debierre from Nantes in 1901, replacing a modest 12-stop organ behind the choir, built by Merklin. Until that time, only an empty buffet was installed on the tribune, but, topped with a single row of façade pipes, there was an illusion of the presence of a large organ. In 1950, Joseph Beuchet-Debierre restored and enlarged the instrument by bringing it from 32 to 35 stops. Various maintenance works were carried out by Beuchet-Debierre in 1972, by Sébire & Glandaz in 1986 and by Bernard Dargassies in 1999.The console, signed by ‘Louis Debierre de Nantes’ and composed of 3 keyboards of 56 notes and a German 30-note concave pedal, is separated from the organ case (the organist facing the organ). It is concealed by an oak façade with a clock in its centre and topped by a pediment in the neo-Gothic style of the buffet.The three keyboards are mechanically powered by a Barker machine*, traction is mechanical for the pedal and pneumatic for the stops. The instrument has 35 stops of high quality pipes almost entirely signed by Louis Debierre.(Text: Thierry Correard, translated into English by OrgansofParis)This organ has a special, unique system of Debierre to adjust, on the keyboards, the pressing of the key and the drawing of the valves, which allows to remedy small occasional unwanted noises (‘cornements’) due to bad climatic conditions in the church. There are only three modifications made to this instrument in the past, by Beuchet-Debierre in 1950: on the GO the Gambe 4 was replaced by a Doublette 2, on the Positif a Nasard et Tierce were added and on the Swell a Plein Jeu III.This is the only organ of Louis Debierre still existent in Paris (besides the poyphone at the ‘Chapelle des missions étrangères’). *the patented Debierre version of the Barker machine