Orgues Létourneau announces the signing of a contract with the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre Dame de Québec for the restoration and enlargement of their sanctuary pipe organ. Following a fire on December 22, 1922, the cathedral was rebuilt following the original plans but using steel and concrete; the sanctuary Casavant organ was the first of three instruments to be installed in the cathedral complex between 1924 and 1927.
The sanctuary organ (two manuals, 23 ranks) is largely unaltered since its installation, apart from some rescaling of certain ranks in the Récit division. From a mechanical standpoint, the instrument will be restored including its ventil-type electro-pneumatic windchests and the wind system. Two new stops for the Grand-Orgue division—a three-rank Fourniture and an 8′ Trompette—will be scaled, built, and voiced to fit cohesively with the pipework from 1924. The organ’s electrical and coupling system will be renewed with modern materials while the organ’s two-manual console will be rebuilt to incorporate a 32-note pedalboard, a multi-level system of pistons and a record-playback function. The console will also be placed on a rolling platform for mobility within the cathedral’s sanctuary area.
The project is part of the celebrations surrounding the 350th anniversary of the founding of the parish of Notre-Dame de Québec (notredamedequebec.org). For further information: www.letourneauorgans.com.
Related News
