LDV95

The Rieger Organ of the Philharmonie de Paris The Austrian firm of Rieger was commissioned to build a contemporary organ for use with orchestra, both as soloist and as one of the orchestra’s instruments; for accompanying choirs; and for solo organ recitals, with the last-named to include everything, original and transcribed, that can be played effectively on an organ in a secular environment, ranging from the great ‘classical’ works, to jazz and light music – in other words, a ‘symphonic’ organ with many foundation stops, different colours and dynamics ranging from the very soft to the majestic. Although derived from nineteenth-century French instruments, the organ’s tonal concept was not to be a copy of any historical style. Accordingly, the Grand Orgue and Positif form a ‘classical’ core with choruses of Montre stops. Around this, there is a rich selection of additional registers in the Récit, Solo and Résonance divisions; a palette of colourful mutations; beautiful strings, warm flutes; and batteries of French reeds. The Pédale division, with three stops at 32’ pitch, gives an exciting foundation to large-scale orchestral works. The plenum is full, rich, scintillating, majestic. 46 LISZT • INSPIRATIONS