Aristide Cavaillé-Coll
Aristide Cavaillé-Coll (French: [aʁistid kavaje kɔl]; 4 February 1811 – 13 October 1899) was a French organ builder. He has the reputation of being the most distinguished organ builder of the 19th century. He pioneered innovations in the art and science of organ building that permeated the profession and influenced the course of organ building, composing and improvising through the early 20th century.
Aristide Cavaillé-Coll | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 February 1811 Montpellier, France |
| Died | 13 October 1899 (aged 88) Paris, France |
As the author of scientific journal articles about the organ construction details, he published the results of his research and experiments.
He was the inventor of the symphonic organ being able to follow smooth and immediate dynamic changes like a symphonic orchestra.
His most famous organs were built in Paris in Saint-Denis Basilica (1841), Église de la Madeleine, Sainte-Clotilde Basilica (1859), Saint-Sulpice church (his largest instrument; behind the classical façade), Notre-Dame Cathedral (behind the classical façade), baron Albert de L'Espée's residence in Biarritz (moved finally to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica), and many others. The organ reform movement in the 20th century sought to return organ building to a more Baroque style; but since then, Cavaillé-Coll's designs have come back into fashion.