Excursion to Normandy
ORGAN 101: THE SOUNDS OF CAVAILLÉ-COLL
Monday, May 26, 2025
The Make a Joyful Noise project for the restoration of the historic Cavaillé-Coll organ at The American Cathedral in Paris, is offering an excursion to Rouen to visit two important Cavaillé-Coll organs and hear some extraordinary organ music.
The first church we will visit is the St Ouen Abbey church in Rouen which houses one of Cavaillé-Coll’s final installations. In a private concert for participants Andy Dewar, organist at the cathedral, will play his own brand-new transcription for organ of Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony, which he will have debuted the evening before in a public concert.
Jean-Baptiste Monnot, organist at the abbey church, will provide historical background for both the church and its organ. He will also offer a continuation of our ‘Organ 101’ instruction, using ‘L’Orgue du voyage’ that he built himself.
We will then lunch together at a lovely restaurant in Rouen before continuing on to nearby Elbeuf.
In Elbeuf we will visit the Church of the Immaculate Conception which houses another important Cavaillé-Coll organ, one which demonstrates a musical ambiance close to what we seek to create at the cathedral. Andy will play a selection of pieces to demonstrate this sonority as well.
The day will conclude with a convivial reception at the country home of Jennifer and Didier Gosmand in Pacy-sur-Eure, on the banks of the Eure river. Weather permitting, a dip in the pool will be an option.
Finally, the bus will transport us back to Paris, arriving at approximately 9 pm.
Payment details:
250€ per person: concert, transportation, visits, and meals are included
Kindly complete the form on the right and refer to the link below for payment details. Payments can be made by check (to the order of ‘The American Cathedral in Paris’) or bank transfer.
Please note: Registrations are only confirmed upon receipt of full payment, due by May 9th.
