The Casavant Frères Organ

casavant organ

On February 10, 1976, a disastrous malfunction in the Cathedral’s fire protection system damaged the historic pipe organ beyond reasonable hope of repair. The original organ was built by the Barckhoff Organ Company, Salem, Ohio, for the Columbian exhibition which was held in Chicago in 1893. Bishop Tobias Mullen purchased the organ from the company that same year. It was kept in storage at the Tellers Organ Company until 1916 when it was installed as a four manual instrument in the Cathedral. In 1932, it was renovated, and in 1952 it was completely redesigned and rebuilt as a large three manual instrument. A separate organ was placed in the chancel with a complete second console. All the work was done very competently by the Tellers Organ Company of Erie, Pennsylvania.

The new Casavant organ is described as an electric instrument which incorporates features of the French Romantic period, which is a significant period in the development of music in the Catholic Tradition. Because of its large size and the variety of its tonal resources, it can be used to accompany congregational hymns and choral music and to play organ literature from all periods.

The organ should not only be heard, it should also be seen. The layout of the pipes and the cabinetwork complements the Gothic lines of the cathedral. The console is both a beautiful piece of cabinetwork and a technical masterpiece. The cabinet and bench are of carved oak. The keys are of ebony with ivory caps on the sharps. The drawknobs, thumb piston controls and pedal sharps are of rosewood. In all it is a suitable instrument for the cathedral and a worthy replacement for the old Barckhoff organ that once made a joyful noise to God.

Casavant Frères Ltée., Opus 3353, 1978

      
       Erie, Pennsylvania
       St. Peter Catholic Cathedral

       Casavant   Op. 3353   1978   3/82
       Casavant   Op. 3353   2021   3/80
       ___________________________________________________________

       GRAND ORGUE                         POSITIF

   16' Violon               61          8' Montre               61
    8' Montre               61          8' Bourdon              61
    8' Violon     (new)     12          8' Flûte céleste II    dig a
    8' Flûte harmonique     61          4' Prestant             61
    8' Flûte à cheminée     61          4' Flûte à cheminée     61
    4' Prestant             61      2 2/3' Nasard               61
    4' Flûte conique        61          2' Doublette            61
2 2/3' Quinte               61          2' Quarte de nasard     61
    2' Doublette            61      1 3/5' Tierce               61
    V  Cornet  (from A22)  200      1 1/3' Larigot              61
   VI  Fourniture  1 1/2'  366          1' Sifflet              61
   IV  Cymbale     2/3'    244          V  Fourniture    1'    305 d
   16' Bombarde             61          8' Trompette            61
    8' Trompette            61          8' Cromorne             61
    4' Clairon              61          4' Clairon              61
    8' Trompette-en-Chamade 61             Tremblant
       Unison Off                          Sub
                                           Unison Off
       RECIT                           16' Trompette-en-Chamade tc c
                                        8' Trompette-en-Chamade GO c
   16' Bourdon doux         61
    8' Principal étroit     61             PEDALE
    8' Bourdon              61
    8' Viole de gambe       61         32' Montre              dig a
    8' Voix céleste         61         32' Bourdon             dig a
    8' Flûte céleste II    dig a       16' Montre               32
    4' Octave               61         16' Soubasse             32
    4' Flûte octaviante     61         16' Violon               GO
2 2/3' Nasard               61         16' Bourdon doux         RE
    2' Octavin              61     10 2/3' Quinte  (Violon)     GO
1 3/5' Tierce               61          8' Octavebasse          32
    V  Plein Jeu   2'      305 b        8' Bourdon              32
   16' Basson               61          4' Octave               32
    8' Trompette            61          4' Flûte                32
    8' Hautbois             61          V  Fourniture  2 2/3'  160 d
    8' Voix humaine         61         32' Contre bombarde L/2  32
    4' Clairon              61         32' Contre trompette    dig a
       Tremblant                       16' Bombarde             32
       Sub                             16' Bombarde             GO
       Unison Off                      16' Basson               RE
       Super                            8' Trompette            32
    8' Trompette-en-Chamade GO c        4' Clairon              32
                                        8' Trompette-en-Chamade GO

    a  digital stops added by another builder; the two Flûte
       céleste stops are each of a different tone
    b  recomposed using existing pipes
    c  not affected by couplers
    d  tonally rebalanced on site 

Upcoming Music Events/Services

Morning Prayer: Palm Sunday

March 24 @ 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Vespers: Palm Sunday

March 24 @ 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Morning Prayer: Holy Thursday

March 28 @ 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Morning Prayer: Good Friday

March 29 @ 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM