Institut National des jeunes aveugles (INJA) 56, boulevard des Invalides, 75007 Paris

Salle Marchal

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The National Institute for young blinds (INJA) was founded in 1784 by Valentin Haüy. A famous pupil (and later teacher) was Louis Braille, the inventor of the braille system. From its start, the teaching of music has been an important part of the educational program of this institute The first organ class started in 1826 and by 1833 no less than 14 blind students held organist positions in the churches of Paris. The institute continued to produce large number of successful organists such as Louis Vierne, André Marchal, Jean Langlais and Gaston Litaize. The present building dates from 1844. Further details (in French)…

D4 1883 It is an organ originally built by Cavaillé-Coll in 1883. It featured 34 stops spread over three 56-note manuals and a 30-note pedalboard. The stops of the Grand-Orgue keyboard were located in the right side of the case. The stops of the Positif and Récit keyboards were placed on the left side of the case. As for the pedal stops, they were placed at the back of the cases, divided in half. At least two of the three manual keyboards were expressive. 1910 The instrument underwent a first transformation in 1910 by Jean-Baptiste Puget: removal of the Barker machine and replacement of the mechanical transmission with a tubular pneumatic transmission. In addition, dismantling and renovation of the windchests of Positif and Récit (split). The instrumental part was enclosed in two expressive boxes: one for the Great Organ and the Pedal, the other for the Positive and the Recital. 1926 Overhaul by Auguste Convers. 1949 A few small changes in the stoplist, orienting it towards a more neo-classical aesthetic by Beuchet-Debierre. 1959-1961 Gonzalez carried out a series of works aimed at transforming the aesthetics of the organ according to the neo-classical aesthetic with re-using many elements of the old organ: additions of mutations to the positive (nazard, tierce and cymbal), deletion of romantic stops in the Récit. The slightly completed Great Organ remains in the right-hand case. The Swell is greatly increased but remains in the left sideboard. On the other hand, a new sound plan of Positif was created on the gallery of the 1st floor, above the Cavaillé-Coll buffets. Also on the 1st floor, installation of new pedal stops. Creation of a new mobile console. The stoplist was then increased to 68 stops spread over 3 manuals. 1982/1997 Overhauls by Gonzalez and Dargassies Composition Source: Dominique Levacque Considerations upon the history of the organs of INJA (in French) The Organ School of France and the Blind

Titular organist Dominique Levacque Famous organists in the past: Louis Vierne, André Marchal, Gaston Litaize, Jean Langlais Site de l’institut Videos Dominique Levacque Photos Johan Vexo (facebook)