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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)…
Salle André Marchal
The institute houses three organs:
Salle Marchal
This organ is originally built by Cavaillé-Coll in 1883.
The instrument underwent a first transformation in
1910 by Maurice Puget and was overhauled by
Convers in the 1930s. Between 1959 and 1961,
Gonzalez carried out a series of works aimed at
transforming the aesthetics of the organ according to
the neo-classical aesthetic: additions of mutations to
the positive (nazard, third and cymbal), removals of
romantic games to the Swell. The stoplist was then
increased to 68 stops spread over 3 keyboards.
Salle Sèvres
An organ built by by Cavaillé-Coll a few years after the
organ at the Salle Marchal and modified by Beuchet in
1932 and in the 90ies by Gonzalez-Danel-Dargassies
(23/II)
Salle Duroc
An organ built by by Cavaillé-Coll in the 1860ies,
possibly using parts of an earlier organ buily by the
same builder in 1857 severely modified by Beuchet in
1932 and by Costa in 1956 (19/II)
Source:
Dominique Levacque Considerations upon the history of
the organs of INJA (in French)
Organiste titulaire
Dominique Levacque
Famous organists in the past: Louis Vierne, André
Marchal, Gaston Litaize, Jean Langlais
Concerts
occasionaly (only on the organ of Salle Marchal)
Video
Dominique Levacque
Photos below:
Salle Duroc
Salle Sèvres (Salle Jean Langlais)