• Producer(s):

    ARTE FRANCE, ADR PRODUCTIONS

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2005

  • Language(s):

    German, French

  • Rights:

    NON-THEATRICAL, TV, VOD, DVD, INTERNET

The aim of this documentary is to rediscover the organ and heighten public awareness of organ music. Two great organists, Michel Chapuis and Alessandro Valoriani, share their enthusiasm with us and their world of music.

Michel Chapuis tells us about the musical instrument itself, with its long history and diversity and explains how the organ works. He visits his organ builder friends and also some artisan restorers working in chapels in the Jura region. Organs are in fact as complicated as computers!
Alessandro Valoriani introduces us to the liturgy and the great classics that were composed for the organ. The artist explains how the organ became a sacred instrument and why its music has acquired such a mystical dimension, constantly present in the life of the monks.
The organ has in fact always been a popular musical instrument. It is often made out of materials found in the local area and so its construction varies according to its environment. In the same way that music is carried and uplifted by the architecture of the church, so the organ is sensitive to climate and seasonal changes. In order to obtain its ultimate potential, it draws on the surrounding environment to bring its music to life.