Perpigan, cathedral (St John the Baptist).
One of the oldest and biggest organ cases in France: built in Mallorcan style around year 1500. Very tall (largest pipes are about 16 feet long) but very flat - in those times, there were not so many pipes and manuals as nowadays. The instrument itself, front pipes included, is from 1857 (by Cavaillé-Coll, whose family originated from that area) and best suits the early French symphonic school, starting with César Franck and Eugène Gigout. It is in a perfect condition. The entire organ case front could be closed with shutters adorned with paintings. These date back to 1504, were removed in the early XIXth century because their hinges were in a very bad conditions : restoration is ongoing, delivery expected 2027.
Zfc, Z16-50/2.8 VR at 28.5mm, f/3.2, 1/15s, ISO 5000. Normal camera NR.
