Swiss organ rated among 12 most beautiful in the world
The organ in the church of Sainte-Claire in Vevey, western Switzerland, is one of 12 chosen for the 2023 calendar of “The Most Beautiful Pipe Organs in the World”.
It even appears at the top of the calendarExternal link, by German publishers Bach 4 You, in the January slot, Radio Chablais reportedExternal link on Thursday.
“This was a total surprise for us – we didn’t expect this organ to be in the calendar at all. We’re obviously delighted,” town organist Daniel Chappuis told Radio Chablais.
The organ was built in 1779 by Samson Scherrer, a year before he died, and was updated in 1898 by famous Swiss organ builder Friedrich Goll, who built the organ in Bern’s St Peter and Paul church among many others.
Built in the purest German Romantic style, the historic instrument in Vevey has remained virtually unchanged since 1898, apart from a partial restoration six years ago.
It is accompanied in the 2023 calendar by 11 other majestic instruments from Germany, Spain, Portugal, Lithuania and Scotland. The featured organ in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was the scene of a memorable impromptu performanceExternal link of Life on Mars after news broke of the death of David Bowie on January 10, 2016.
More
The organ that went back to the future
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.