Notre-Dame Cathedral’s (Paris) main organ was playable again as of December 12. The cathedral’s large, symphonic organ had been out of commission since January 2012, due to replacement of its digital control system and console. These repairs outlined the first phase in the instrument’s restoration and were part of a large cathedral renovation project, celebrating the cathedral’s 850th anniversary in 2013. On Wednesday, December 12, celebrations commenced with a special Mass, led by Cardinal Vingt-Trois.
The second phase of the restoration is scheduled for 2014, at which point the organ will be dismantled and cleaned. Several historic parts (including Barker levers) will be restored, and the front pipes, which were damaged due to sagging, will be repaired. Additionally, the Petite Pédale division will be extended to g3. This creates an additional manual division (Resonnance), which can be coupled to any of the instrument’s five manuals. This expansion has already been included in the new console. In 2011, organbuilders Bertrand Cattiaux and Pascal Quoirin were selected to carry out both phases of the restoration.
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