It is not without
justification that the pipe organ is called the king of instruments. A
single instrument, it can not only rival the full power of a symphony
orchestra but imitate many of the orchestra’s individual subtleties. The
pipe organ produces its sound in much the same way the human voice does,
with air. This makes the pipe organ an excellent accompaniment instrument
for the voice, from a single person to a large choir. With many different
types of pipes, a pipe organ is also capable of a great variety of sound
color. This diversity of sound has inspired many of Western music’s
greatest masters to compose some of their greatest works. Gabrieli, Bach,
Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Franck, and Messien all wrote masterpieces
for an instrument that not only represents a pinnacle of musical
achievement, but in its construction is also a triumph of human mechanical
ingenuity.
The French Canadians who made Lewiston their home and
Saints Peter and Paul their church in the late 19th century
attached great value to music and the arts. In pursuit of excellence, they
hired one of North America’s greatest organ builders, Casavant Freres, to
create an instrument that would fill their new edifice with glorious
sound. The results were the opus 1587 and 1588 instruments that, combined
through a single console, comprise the largest church organ in the state.
After its dedication in 1938, the Casavant was used to accompany several
community ensembles and served as a recital instrument for some of the
worlds leading organists including the great French organist, Marcel Dupre
and Dr. Charles-Marie Courboin.
Of
the many people who have served as organist at Saints Peter and Paul, the
most renown was certainly Bernard Piche. A Recipient of the Prix d’Europe
prize, Mr. Piche studied under the master Charles Tournemire and went on
to concertize widely in North America to great acclaim under the auspices
of Colbert-Laberge Concert Management. Mr. Piche was appointed to his
position at Saints Peter and Paul in May of 1945 and served until 1966
when he left to take a place on the faculty of the Conservatory of Quebec
in Trois-Riviers.
Now that the economic revival of Lewiston-Auburn is
well underway, it is time to also revive one of the areas great musical
treasures. Through its use as a superb accompaniment and solo instrument
for concerts, recitals and liturgical events, the Casavant organ in Saints
Peter and Paul and its accompanying acoustic could once again be a
cornerstone for the arts in Lewiston-Auburn. Your support of this endeavor
will not only return this world-class instrument to its former glory but
will help to ensure that future generations will have this tremendous
resource.
thout
justification that the pipe organ is called the king of instruments. A
single instrument, it can not only rival the full power of a symphony
orchestra but imitate many of the orchestra’s individual subtleties. The
pipe organ produces its sound in much the same way the human voice does,
with air. This makes the pipe organ an excellent accompaniment instrument
for the voice, from a single person to a large choir. With many different
types of pipes, a pipe organ is also capable of a great variety of sound
color. This diversity of sound has inspired many of Western music’s
greatest masters to compose some of their greatest works. Gabrieli, Bach,
Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Franck, and Messien all wrote masterpieces
for an instrument that not only represents a pinnacle of musical
achievement, but in its construction is also a triumph of human mechanical
ingenuity.
Of
the many people who have served as organist at Saints Peter and Paul, the
most renown was certainly Bernard Piche. A Recipient of the Prix d’Europe
prize, Mr. Piche studied under the master Charles Tournemire and went on
to concertize widely in North America to great acclaim under the auspices
of Colbert-Laberge Concert Management. Mr. Piche was appointed to his
position at Saints Peter and Paul in May of 1945 and served until 1966
when he left to take a place on the faculty of the Conservatory of Quebec
in Trois-Riviers.