The restoration of the organ of the Brussels Conservatory is being planned

The delicate operation of dismantling the Cavaillé-Coll organ of the Royal Conservatory of Brussels has begun. From 27 June to 29 July 2022, the organ will be dismantled and completely restored to its original splendour and timbre.

While waiting for the team of experts to draw up a complete inventory and describe the work required for its restoration, once dismantled, the instrument, which consists of more than 4,000 pipes, will be carefully stored in a warehouse set up for this purpose.

Restoration work is expected to begin in 2024. The organ will not be able to return to the concert hall until the renovation of the conservatory buildings is completed in 2028.

An organ of unique richness

There is no shortage of superlatives to describe the organ that dominates the concert hall of the Brussels Conservatory. Built in 1880 by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, one of the greatest organ-builders of the 19th century, the instrument is one of the most valuable historical organs in Belgium. Only the Moscow Conservatory still has such an instrument in an academic context.  

While it originally had 45 stops on three keyboards and pedal, the organ of the Brussels Conservatory has not remained in its original state. Its 140 years of life have been extremely eventful, including the electrification of the instrument in 1960. Unfortunately, the organ has been silent for several years now, as the electric traction is a fire hazard.

The renovation of the organ is part of the Brussels Conservatory restoration programme. The project has two parts: to restore and enhance a complex with a high heritage value and to meet the specific needs of users.

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