All organ builders
who worked in Paris before the revolution
Organ builders in the 17th and early
18th century 1/2
The Thierry dynasty
Founder Pierre Thierry (1604-1665) learned his skills
from Valeran De Héman and Carlier (St Nicolas-des-
Champs). Later he set up on his own workshop. He can
be seen as Carlier’s successor. His masterpiece was the
St Germain-des-Prés organ (1661). On the death of his
associate Pierre Desenclos in 1664 he became facteur
du roi. In addition to his son Alexandre Thierry, two of
his other sons became organ builders: Jean (1638-1689)
and Charles (1641-??).
His son Alexandre Thierry (1646-1699) established
himself as the leading French organ builder of his time
with the completion of the organ at St Séverin in 1675
(built in collaboration with his brother Charles). He also
built the organ at St. Louis des Invalides (1687). Towards
the end of his life, he worked with Hippolyte Ducastel
(Notre Dame, 1691) and Robert and Jean Baptiste
Clicquot.
François Thierry (1677-1749) was a nephew and a pupil
of Alexandre Thierry and the last representative of the
Thierry-dynasty. He learned his skills with his uncle
(Alexandre), Pierre-François Deslandes and Henri
Lesclop. He completely reconstructed the organ at
Notre Dame, Paris (1730–33; apparently the first organ
to be built with a separate Bombarde manual). Andreas
Silbermann worked for him between 1704 and 1706.
More information on Thierry…
Photo’s: St Louis des Invalides - Notre-Dame-de-Paris