Today is World Organ Day. A good opportunity to mention the important project that awaits that of Notre-Dame de Chartres. Nestled since the 16th century in the case classified as a historic monument, the organ is going to undergo a major facelift.
Daniel Alazard is a heritage engineer in charge of operations at Drac Centre-Val de Loire. Cost of the overall project, which includes the creation of a new instrument and the restoration of the joinery parts: 2.9 million euros, including 2.5 million supported by the Drac and the Ministry of Culture. (Sound 1).
New youth for the organ of the cathedral of Chartres… It is a major project which will begin in September. The restoration of the oak case in which the organ is nestled will take three years. And it’s not just the joinery parts that will be restored, the organ will also be completely rebuilt. A large panel of professionals are looking into the cradle of the new organ and have chosen the organ builders who will rebuild the instrument. (Sound 2).
The great organ of Chartres Cathedral will soon stop sounding… And this for a period of three years, starting next September. Time for the organ builders to restore the 14th century oak case, listed as a historical monument. But not only. The whole instrument will be rebuilt to better adapt to the carpenter parts. From a hundred games, we go to fifty, with four keyboards and a pedalboard. Daniel Alazard is a heritage engineer in charge of operations at Drac Centre-Val de Loire. (Sound 3).
During the works, the choir organ will be used for the celebrations of religious ceremonies. It too has been upgraded so that the cathedral continues to vibrate to the sound of the organ. This project, which has been on the rails for more than 20 years, is therefore on the verge of completion. Several specialized associations, organists and experts have selected the organ builders who will be at work, in particular the Manufacture Muhleisen, located (in Eschau) in the Bas-Rhin.
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