Celestial Bands
Organ case carvings
The long, natural trumpet must be the instrument most frequently represented in the art of organ-case decoration. There are numerous examples from the 17th century onwards; some modern cases, in Switzerland especially, are also thus adorned. Often, the trumpets are held to the lips of beautifully-carved angel-figures with furled wings. Stately and gilded, these make striking additions to, and can even dominate, the overall composition.
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Smaller features are easily overlooked, although these are often no less interesting. The urchin-like cherubs on the organ at Albi cathedral, in the southerly French department of Tarn, are not particularly prominent, neither are they stately and gilded. The three shown in picture 1 are from a group of five standing on the case of the positive division. Respectively playing bassoon, transverse flute and dancing, they are full of life and apparent movement. It is interesting to reflect on what might have been their cost to organ-builder, Père Moucherel. In 1736 wages may not have been high but each of these figures must have required many hours of work by a skilled craftsman. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Cecilia, reputed inventor of the organ: perhaps expense was not considered in such a context.
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Pic. 1 Cherubs at Albi Cathedral
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Pic 2
At Sarlat, no great distance from Albi, a less-mischievous - if not quite saintly - cherub, plays a lute (see picture 2). This instrument was extremely popular throughout the middle ages and well into the baroque period so it is, perhaps, surprising that it does not adorn more organ cases. The cathedral organ, like that of Albi, dates from 1736 and was built by Jean-Francois l'Epine. No less an authority than Dom Bedos, monk, Member of the French Academy of Sciences and author of books on organ-building that are still highly regarded, lavished praise on Sarlat cathedral organ. The centre (Montpelier) and (Albi) right panels of picture 2 have apparently random collections of instruments carved in relief. Serpents, viols, trumpet, oboe and several recorders may be found. Together, they might suggest the band room of an orchestra that has just been called out on lightning strike: they are worthy examples of the carvers' and gilders' art.
Pic. 3
Even more so than lutes, organs themselves seem to be very rare items of organic decoration. Picture 3 shows three extant examples. A figure - perhaps St. Cecilia herself, in the left panel, holds an organ facade of the same period as that of the main organ at Albi. The instrument in the centre panel, at St Anne's, Limburg an der Lahn, seems to have three stops controlled by small knobs acting directly on the sliders: they are visible along the side at what might be termed impost level. Is crowned the figure playing this another representation of St Cecilia?
If it were not for the model organ that surmounts it, there would be no readily visible clue to the purpose of the rather strange piece of furniture at Calke Abbey (right panel) . The Abbey is an English 18th century house, built on the site of a former Augustinian Priory, dissolved by Henry VIII. What seems to be a carved chest or cupboard is really a chamber organ of four stops made about 1750. The model shows a typical organ case of the period - perhaps for an instrument rather larger than the average at that time.
At Calke, religious discord did not end with Henry VIII. A recent writer recalls how in the last century, a member of the squire's family disagreed with the vicar over some point . The normal route to the church , which ran through the grounds, was then blocked. Until the breach was healed, clergy, choir and congregation were obliged to make their way to services via a muddy field and a convenient gap between some bushes.
The term "hedge priest" comes to mind.
If it were not for the model organ that surmounts it, there would be no readily visible clue to the purpose of the rather strange piece of furniture at Calke Abbey (right panel) . The Abbey is an English 18th century house, built on the site of a former Augustinian Priory, dissolved by Henry VIII. What seems to be a carved chest or cupboard is really a chamber organ of four stops made about 1750. The model shows a typical organ case of the period - perhaps for an instrument rather larger than the average at that time.
At Calke, religious discord did not end with Henry VIII. A recent writer recalls how in the last century, a member of the squire's family disagreed with the vicar over some point . The normal route to the church , which ran through the grounds, was then blocked. Until the breach was healed, clergy, choir and congregation were obliged to make their way to services via a muddy field and a convenient gap between some bushes.
The term "hedge priest" comes to mind.
David Bridgeman-Sutton,
September 2011
September 2011
Acknowledgements:
Picture credits:
Calke Abbey: Philip Wells
All others: Jenny Setchell
Picture credits:
Calke Abbey: Philip Wells
All others: Jenny Setchell
