In France there are two music schools for advanced students: the Conservatoire Supérieur in Paris and another one in Lyon. The collaboration of two eminent teachers, - Xavier Darasse in the beginning and later on Jean Boyer -, was enormously constructive. Both of them trusted us completely and we were allowed to work on the organ in an atmosphere of total freedom. Building an organ for a conservatoire has always had an added responsibility for us. Students must play on this instrument for many years and it will likely be a determining factor in developing their own musical tastes.
Our instrument must be worthy of its calling and must give performers the necessary energy to practice long hours without tiring them. This is only possible if all the details in the instrument have been meticulously cared for: the tracker action, the wind supply, a first rate voicing and top quality finishing touches. The voicing of each pipe, of each stop creates a musical instrument which is conceived as a unified whole. Conservatory students write us: "We know we really should practice, but on this instrument we simply like to keep playing and playing."
The small size of the Conservatorys Hall requires an organ with a balanced design, a colourful voicing but one that is also discreet. By carefully observing these parameters we were able to successfully respond to these concerns.
We were aware of the fact that one instrument could not possibly play the full range of literature, so we created an organ that would be especially appropriate for the music of J. S. Bach and other composers of that period. The multiple registration possibilities offer an ample range of colours and combination
Jean Boyer
Professeur d Orgue
au Conservatoire Superieur de Lyon
... Cet orgue est tout simplement magnifique. L harmonisation, la traction mécanique, tout dans cet instrument est realisé à la perfection.
J ajoute que depuis dix ans (date de sa construction) l orgue est joué environ quinze heures par jour et qu il n a jamais rèvelé la moindre défaillance technique. La qualité et la fiabilité de cet orgue sont tout à fait remarquable!