Charles Collin.divx

Pastór de Lasala plays the 1890 Théodore Puget Père et Fils organ in the chapel of Kincoppal-Rose Bay. The work played is the Elévation (in E flat) by Charles Collin (1827 1911) who was organist at the Cathedral of St Brieux in Brittany. The magnificent carved stalls in the chapel of Kincoppal-Rose Bay, some of which are a few hundred years old, plus the exquisite pulpit, were brought to Sydney from their home in France during the time of religious upheaval in 1904. The anti-clerical French government at that time intended to confiscate these and other property of the Sacré Coeur nuns, not only in Paris but throughout the country: some 45 convents in all. Fortunately, the quick thinking of the Orders Mother Superior, Mother Mabel Digby, saw to the removal of these stalls, the pulpit and the 1890 Puget organ. Whilst the organ came from the Sacré Coeur convent in Bordeaux, the original location of the stalls and pulpit was in the chapel at rue de Varenne, Paris, now the location of the Rodin Museum. The lower part of the chapel which escaped demolition now serves as the entrance to the museum.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• lasala
• organ
• collin
• puget
• sacré-coeur
• stalls
• convent

[gerardbedecarter]

A delightful piece, Pastor, beautifully played on an organ that is now restored to [better than] its former glory. The photograps are particularly magnificent. Thanks for the historical background. It's a fascinating saga and a particularly interesting time in French history. Mother Digby was no shrinking violet!  She pinned a notice to the front door of the chapel informing the sheriff and his officers [or the French equivalent] that they were under automatic excommunication!!!

[tormus1]

Gerard, you are quite right about Mother Digby. She managed to have the parents of the students pack up the stalls before the French government could get their hands on them. Brilliant! When the officials arrived the opened the chapel door to find the place swept clean and empty. The photos of I have seen of her look like a female version of Winston Churchill!

[gerardbedecarter]

I've been to the Rodin museum which is very near the Basilica of Ste Clothilde. I didn't know the fascinating background of the building. I was dying of thirst at the time but all I could purchase [at grossly inflated prices, of course, this is Paris Mister] was a TINY bottle of carbonated cola drink.

[gerardbedecarter]

More later. I'm having VERY late nights with the Friedheim/Liszt Sonata saga and am feeling a little frayed at the edges at the moment!!