Dear Saint Margaret Parish:

In the spring of 2008, I received an email welcoming me to the great organ at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris for a recital in May of 2009.

I had heard this magnificent organ as a high school senior on Easter Sunday in 1979 played by the late, great Pierre Cochereau, so you can imagine how deeply honored and humbled I was in having the opportunity to perform there.






Console of the Notre-Dame Organ

The great organ at Notre-Dame (Five manuals with over 8,000 pipes) was the work of Aristide Cavaille-Coll, a true genius in the art of organ building.  Built in 1868 (and incorporating pipes from the 1783 Clicquot organ), this was one of his greatest masterpieces. This style of organ, also known as the symphonic organ, defined the French-romantic school of organ composition.  These instruments had tonal resources that rivaled those of a symphony orchestra. They also contained numerous mechanical devices that assisted the organist in preparing and changing stops quite easily much like a modern pipe organ console.

With the tremendous assistance of Dr. John Walker, professor of organ at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, I was able to plan and prepare a program that I would play on May 3 of 2009.  All programs must be submitted in advance for approval with the timings of each piece.  Through many emails with the gentleman in charge of the concerts at the cathedral, we discussed the compositions that I had requested to play, made a few changes and in the fall of 2008, the final program was approved.

I was also thrilled to be asked by Bruce Eicher, a former teacher of mine and Director of Music at Grace United Methodist Church in Baltimore City, to perform the program at his church the day before I left.  I was able to set up the console on the church’s large Möller pipe organ much like a French organ which gave me invaluable assistance in preparing the Notre-Dame concert.  I also was able to practice at the home of Michael Gaffney, a dear friend and colleague who has a large pipe organ installed in his music room which can be set up the same way.

  

After we arrived in Paris, we were invited by the titular organist at Notre-Dame, Olivier Latry, to attend a recital that evening at the cathedral so that we could listen to the instrument from the nave.  Every seat in the cathedral was filled which is unheard of in the United States. The organist from the cathedral in Chartres gave a magnificent recital featuring works of Charles Marie-Widor and Cesar Franck. The organ filled the vast space with a sound that literally raised you from the chair.  I could only imagine how it would sound from the organ loft!!

Nave of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame
Guest organists are given two practice sessions before the recital which are held late in the evening after the cathedral closes.  Philippe, the assistant to the organists at the cathedral met me and George Bareford (who assisted me at the console) at the appointed time by the door to the organ loft which is outside the cathedral.  The circular staircase of about ninety steps led us to a great chamber nearly 2 stories high which houses a pictorial history of the organs and organists at the cathedral.  Even more exciting, the original Cavaille-Coll console is on display.  It is one of three “amphitheater” style consoles that he designed that literally wraps around the organist and gives easy access to the stops and controls.











Original Cavaille-Coll console from 1868

 

 

Philippe was incredibly helpful in explaining the organ and console. European consoles are quite different than American ones in terms of the order of manuals, expression shoes and layout of stops.  One of my favorite moments (after I practiced the first piece and hearing the sheer power of this great instrument) came when Philippe came up to the console and asked if I would like the organ “Louder!”  I am amazed how all of that beautiful stained-glass has remained intact over the years!!!

Philippe also pointed out the organ bench that was displayed on an elevated shelf off to the side. This was the original Cavaille-Coll bench used by Louis Vierne, the titular organist that passed away in 1937. Vierne died on this bench following a recital on this great organ.
The day of the recital, I arrived at the cathedral one half hour before I was to play. At 4:30 p.m.  I was introduced and the recital began.  The cathedral was packed as it is for all concerts. The selections and program notes were announced throughout the recital (in French of course) and one hour later, it was all a memory. Holding on to the final chord was the most thrilling moment of my career.  At the same time, it was hard to believe that after a year of planning and practicing, it was over.  I acknowledged the applause and signed the guest book next to the console.  


Following the recital, we had the pleasure of meeting M. Olivier Latry and were invited to remain in the organ loft to hear him play and improvise during the Vesper service and mass.  M. Latry is without a doubt the absolute master of the art of improvisation and being able to hear him AND watch him play was as thrilling as the recital.  He is also one of the funniest and most gracious individuals I have ever met.






 

Along with the recital, I also had the privilege of studying with Mme. Marie- Louise Jaquet-Langlais at the Conservatory of Music in Paris.  Mme. Langlais is world renowned as a historian, performer and teacher of organ music from the French-romantic school.  She is also the widow of organist, Jean Langlais who composed some of the greatest literature for the organ in the 20th century. We also had the pleasure of seeing and playing a recently restored Cavaille-Coll organ at Saint Roch near the Louvre.  Pierre Cochereau had been the organist at Saint Roch as well as Claude Balbastre and Louis James Alfred Lefebure-Wely who are both renowned for their organ compositions.  

With Mm. Marie-Louis Jaquet-Langlais at the Conservatory in Paris
The city of Paris is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it is easy to see why the Parisians are so proud of all that it has to offer. In three weeks, we could only touch upon the wealth of museums, galleries and churches that exist.  Art is a part of everyday life and the people were so gracious and extremely helpful in making sure that we didn’t miss ANYTHING! The only good thing about our trip coming to an end was knowing that we would be returning soon.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the members of our Adult Choir who came to Paris for the recital:  Kristine Garback, Bernadine Beatty, Mary Jo and Bill Collins.  Also joining me were Father Thomas R. Malia – former Associate Pastor at St. Margaret, Douglas Barclay - Minister of Worship at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart and George Bareford who assisted me at the Notre-Dame organ.

In conclusion, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the 
St. Margaret Parish Community.  Your wonderful support along with our pastor, 
Msgr. Michael Schleupner, the members of our music ministry and staff, not only 
made this trip possible, but have made my time here as Director of Music a true
joy and blessing.  Thank you all!  Enjoy the pictures!

Peace,

Michael T. Britt
Director of Music  

(Photos are courtesy of George K. Bareford, Click on each picture to enlarge)

 Additional Photographs

 

 

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notre-Dame Cathedral - Paris, France   < Return >

 

 
Notre-Dame Console    < Return >

 


 

 

 

 

 

 
Michael Britt at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame Organ Console   < Return >

   

   

   

   

  

   


The Nave of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris    < Return >

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The original Cavaille-Coll console from 1868    < Return >

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Michael with Philippe   < Return >

   

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Signing the Guest Book    < Return >

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Oliver Latry-organist at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and Michael Britt    < Return >

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

... with Mme. Marie-Louis Jaquet-Langlais at the Conservatory in Paris    < Return >

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Descends - Notre-Dame Cathedral by Moonlight    < Return >

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Michael with Friends who came to Paris for the Recital    < Return >

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olivier Latry - Organist at Notre-Dame, Michael Britt and 
George Bareford		 Michael Britt at the Saint Roch Organ The case of the Cavaille-Coil organ at Saint Roch
Pedalboard of Saint Roch Organ Stops - Saint Sulpice Organ The console of the Cavaille-Coil organ at Saint Sulpice.
Rose Window at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris Friends gather to celebrate

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