Get your own Free Home PageBy 1832 Aristide and his father had developed a number of mechanical improvements to the organ, principally to improve its expressiveness. Rossini visted their factory in Toulouse and suggested the firm could do well in Paris. Armed with recommendations Aristide made a visit in late 1833 and so impressed leading physicists and musicians that he was invited to submit proposals for a large new instrument in the basilica of St Denis. He did so in three days, won the contract and became head of the firm.
Following completion of the instrument some eight years later, and a thorough examination by a commission appointed by the state, Napoleon III ordered the rebuilding of cathedral organs throughout France and recommended the work be given to Cavaillé-Coll. (Readers should be aware that the State nationalised all church buildings in France during the 1789 Revolution. They have remained state property ever since; maintenance - which includes the rebuilding of organs - is a joint reponsibility of the local community and the various state authorities.)
The quality of Cavaillé-Coll's work at St Denis and the many innovations, both tonal and mechanical, resulted in a large and successful business, producing over 600 organs by the time of his death on 13th October 1899. Customers include virtually every cathedral and major church in France and instruments were exported to a number of countries including the UK, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Denmark.
Last revision: 18/10/97
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