The restoration of the Puget organ is now complete.

June, 2011

A full historical and technical Report from Assistant Consultant Pastor de Lasala will be published in the next issue of the Organ Historical Trust Association Journal and is now available on our website at Pastor de Lasala.html
The remaining mechanical work and voicing was undertaken by Gilbert and Stéphane Pesce, organ builders from Pau, France, who worked during April and May, 2011.

 10 May 2011 - Completion of work

At a simple ceremony on 25 May, 2011, the Feast of St Madeleine Sophie Barat, Foundress of The Society of the Sacred Heart in 1800, the Provincial Superior, Sister Joan Pender, RSCJ, received the key of the console from French Heritage Consultant, Professor Michel Colin.

The completion of the restoration of the 1890 Puget organ marks the end of a very long road from the early beginnings in the 1990?s, with the perseverance and dedication of Patricia Horsley. When Patricia first heard of the problems facing the Organ she began to urge for its complete restoration.

Sister Joan Pender, Provincial Superior, came to meet the organ builders Gilbert and Stéphane Pesce
in April, 2011, admiring their skilful work to complete the organ in just 5 weeks.  Both Patricia Horsley and
Sister Pender were delighted to hear it played by Pastor de Lasala. Sister Pender was very interested at the detail of the work and the skill of the voicing of the precious instrument.
Note the beautiful music stand which has been custom made to match the fine carving on the console.

I joined The Chapel Society in about 1999 and became at first interested, then, because of one event, passionate, about fulfilling her dream and the dream of many other lovers of fine organ music. The one event that decided me completely that this organ must not be allowed to die was a performance in the Chapel on 15 August, 2004, donated by the young virtuoso French organist, Vincent Dubois, when I heard for the first time the glorious music of César Franck and Louis Vierne and finally, memorably, an improvisation he did for almost 12 minutes on submitted themes. That recording (made by Greg Ghavalas) has been constantly with me through many severe trials and tribulations and I never lost sight of what we were trying to achieve.

Ann Henderson, Sister Joan Pender and Professor Michael Colin - The reception of the organ is now completed

For the major part of the restoration, from 2001, we have been fortunate to have the skill and expertise of Sydney organist Pastór de Lasala, whose knowledge and love of French organs is nurtured every year by trips to France, where he discovers more musical treasures, and gives recitals in the great cathedrals and churches all over the country. Pastor?s skill with the French language, which he teaches, has been absolutely essential to the success of the project. Pastor has donated his talents to many recitals and fund- raising events organised by the small committee of The Chapel Society with the constant support and encouragement of the Alumnae of the Sacré-Coeur Association.

Professor Michel Colin with Sister Cecilie Amiet, RSCJ,  organist at Rose Bay for many years.  Cecilie is happily playing the organ once again, rediscovering the tonal colours she well remembers and the music she loves.

When we first called for tenders for the restoration, it quickly became evident that only a French organ builder would be able to do a restoration with the integrity that we all sought. That this decision did not make the task that much easier is clear from the history of the restoration, but listening to the completed organ, not one of us has the slightest doubt that it was the only way in which we could have proceeded. We are all unanimous that there is nothing more we could have done, nobody who was left unconsulted, no expert who could have given us better advice than Professor Michel Colin, whose perseverance and dedication matches our own.

We have been supported by the knowledge that future generations will now come to know and love the glorious repertoire of the French Romantic era, played on an organ unique in Australia. Its preservation from possible destruction when sent from France to Australia will always remain to honour the Religious of the Sacred Heart who have cared for and preserved so much that would have been lost.

There will now be a period of settling and playing in of the organ. When Professor Colin and a member of the Pesce organ building team come out to do some final adjustments in 2012, we can schedule the inaugural recitals. We had a preview of what is to come when Michel played the organ during his visit. For the small audience who heard this marvellous music, it was a very emotional moment, hearing the sounds which had been muted for 7 years.
To everyone who has given us support and encouragement, thank you.

Ann Henderson,
President,
The Chapel Society
Kincoppal-Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart,
Sydney
June, 2011.