All organ builders
who worked in Paris before the revolution
The organ builders of the 17th century
Crespin Carlier (1560-1640) worked until 1600 in the southern
Netherlands and came to Paris in 1631. Among his pupils were
Valéran De Héman (his son-in-law) and Pierre Thierry, his
successor in Paris. In 1635 Carlier and Thierry worked
together on the organ of St Nicolas-des-Champs. He and Jan
and Matthijs Langhedul developed the basis of the French
classical organ.
De Héman was a dynasty of French organ builders, founded
by Valéran De Héman (1584- 1641). He was a pupil and son-in-
law of Crespin Carlier. He was one of the greatest French
organ builders of the first half of the 17th century. Pierre
Thierry, Pierre Pescheur and François Ducastel were among
his pupils. Valéran’s nephews François De Héman (1608-1652),
Jean De Héman (1603-1660) and Louis De Héman (1601–1644)
worked together. François and Jean built a new organ at St
Médard (1648) and St Merry (1650). They were associated
with, among others, Pierre Désenclos (xxxx-1668).
Nicolas Pescheur (??-1616) founded a dynasty of French organ
builders working in Paris during the 17th century. He probably
learned his skills from (among others) Jan Langhedul and
Carlier. His son Pierre (1590-1637) continued his activities in
the Parisian region. He learned his skills from (among others)
his father and Valéran De Héman. The organs at Aubervilliers
(1630, still present) and St Etienne-du-Mont at Paris (1636)
were his greatest instruments. He worked also on the organ of
St-Leu-Saint-Gilles and Saint-Gervais (his voix humaine can still
be heard there ). With his teacher, De Héman, he founded the
classical Parisian school of organ building. His most prominent
pupil was Pierre Desenclos.
The first generation of Parisian organ builders ended with the
death of Pescheur (1637), Carlier (1638) and De Héman (1640).
More information…
Photo’s: St Médard - St Merry - St Etienne-du-Mont