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Forbach, St. Rémi

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The Aubertin Organ of St.Rémy, Forbach (France)

The organ of St Rémi church in Forbach was built in 1964, and has been neglected since 1975. It suffered from major manufacturing defects. The first thing I had to do to restore the organ was to make up for those defects which had doomed this instrument. The case has been modified to allow the access to all the parts of the instrument in order to make the maintenance easier. I have improved its external appearance as well. Because of the acoustics peculiar to St Rémi I had to create an acoustic atmosphere similar to the one the North-German organs created in the late XVIIst and the early XVIIIst century, this atmosphere was based on an impressive and majestic plenum. This blend can now be decorated with a tierce stop at the positive organ and a 16' soft gamba at the great organ, which gives it a rougher color. The 16' reeds at the pedal may be used as a posaume and thus strengthens the whole atmosphere. Some precision stops ( 8' flute ,8' gamba , "4' chimney flute ,tierce stop of the Positif, organ foundations), are acoustic concepts which are quite inspired by Bernard AUBERTIN's aesthetic qualities. The reeds are more inspired by the French school, the cromorne of the choir conversing with the reeds of the great organ, the pedal reeds singing the " Cantus Firmus" with an accompaniment provided by a plenum based on the manual 16' bourdon , the reeds and the swell foundations imparting a romantic note to the whole. La trompetaria ( chamade Trumpets) , which has been dealt with in the Spanish way, makes the "AUBERTIN" regale sing too. A personal touch has been given to each organ stop which has been dealt with in such a way that the tutti is now a homogeneous and coherent whole which is supported by 32' stops ( foundations and reeds). This work has lasted for more than 12 months, and has been entirely carried out on the spot. It is necessary to notice that every parts of the way of working of the traditional organ building have been exploited to carry out this work. More modern techniques such as electronics have also been resorted to. I wanted to built a European instrument in Forbach: it is placed in the heart of the Sarre-Lorraine-Luxembourg Region and 10 km (6.2 miles) away from Sarrebrücken (Germany). It is a German organ which loves France and a French organ which loves Germany and the presence of the Chamade Trumpets recalls Spain. It is quite practical as a vast repertoire can be played on it ( from classical to contemporary music including improvisation. This organ is determinedly turned towards the XXI st century. I think we can compare this work to a creation, indeed each component has been reworked and transformed in the traditional way, which gives to the organ of Forbach the most important and interesting status in the Sarre, Lorraine, Luxembourg area. The organ of Forbach is my acoustic and technical ideal: a traditional and distinctive musical character mixed with technological means which ease its use. I think this work illustrates faithfully the knowledge Bernard Aubertin passed on to me. Moreover I would say that this work expresses itself in an aesthetics which is quite far from Bernard Aubertin's and yet both are complementary.Michel GAILLARDOrgan builder
Specification:

GRAND ORGUE Bourdon 16’ Montre 8’ I-II-III rgs Flute Harm. 8’ Bourdon 8’ Prestant 4’ I-IIrgs Flute à chem. 4’ Quinte 2 2/3 Doublette 2’Fournitures V Cornet V dulciane 16’ trompette 8’ Clairon 4’
POSITIF
Bourdon 8’ Viole 8’ Montre 4’ Nazard Principal 2’ Tierce Quinte 11/3 Sifflet 1’ Cymbale IV Cromorne 8’
RECITPrincipal 8’ Gambe8’ Voix Celeste 8’ Flute Harm. 8’ Flute 4’ Octavin 2’ Plein Jeu IV Voix Humaine 8’ Bombarde 16’ trompette 8’ clairon 4’ Hautbois 8’
PEDALE Bourdon 32’ Principal 16’ Sousbasse 16’ Quinte 10 2/3 Principal 8’ Bourdon 8’ Principal 4’ Flute 4’ Fournitures IV Contre bombarde 32’ Posaune16’ Trompette 8’ Clairon 4’
TROMPETERIAChamades 16’- 8’ -4’Regale 8’
Tremulants I- II - III - IV





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