Come Bach at Saint-Louis: after 5 years of silence, the Aubertin organ plays again.

Come Bach at Saint-Louis: after 5 years of silence, the Aubertin organ plays again.

After five years of construction inside the sanctuary of Paris’s Saint-Louis-en-Île Church, the Grand Aubertin Organ was brought back to life in a live concert performance on June 24th. This concert was organized by Benjamin Alard, who has held the position of organist since the instrument’s inauguration in 2005. This event, dedicated to the major works of Johann Sebastian Bach, was a triumphant comeback for this unique organ designed by organ manufacturer Bernard Aubertin. The organ, equipped with fifty-one stops and designed specifically for Bach repertoire, is a hidden gem among Paris’s organs. Its design, while drawing from historical German organs, features a distinctive style that Aubertin has cultivated throughout his career. This organ, which is both a musical instrument and a work of art, is crafted from solid oak and adorned with various sculptures on its façade. Aubertin has often remarked that as an organ is silent 95% of the time, it must be seamlessly integrated into its environment.

The June 24 concert was a tremendous success, drawing in more than 300 spectators. Despite the church's spaciousness, there were still concertgoers filing out the door. Baroque music enthusiasts had flocked to witness the performance, which marked the long-awaited return of the organ’s use after five years of church renovations, during which time the organ was carefully protected to prevent any damage. For the concert, Bernard Aubertin and his son, Alexandre, traveled to Paris to hear Benjamin Alard’s outstanding performance. After this June concert event, there is more to look forward to: a major concert in 2025 will be organized to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the organ’s installation.

Organist Benjamin Alard, celebrated for his nuanced and masterful interpretations of Bach, showcased the full sonic potential of the Aubertin Grand Organ to an enthusiastic audience. Alard plans to incorporate this remarkable instrument into his ambitious project to record Bach’s complete works for keyboard. Launched in 2017, this extensive project will span over the next decade or more. Thus, the concert was not only a triumphant return for the organ but also a prelude to future recordings that promise to capture the full grandeur of this exceptional instrument.

In the meantime, every other Sunday of the month, Benjamin Alard gives 12:30 p.m. lunchtime concerts at the Saint-Louis-en-Île Church. Please click on the link below to subscribe to the organist’s newsletter, which will include information on upcoming performances: (https://www.benjaminalard.net/newsletter/) 

You are also invited to visit the Friends of the Saint-Louis-en-Île website: (https://sites.google.com/site/orguesdesaintlouisenlile/concerts/saison-2024-2025).

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