Japanese Organ Builder to Restore Voice of Notre Dame

A Life-Changing Experience

Itaru Sekiguchi first heard the Great Organ of the Paris Notre Dame cathedral when he was 10. The “infernal sound” changed his life forever. “It was a bit of a culture shock,” he said. Today, the 53-year-old Japanese organ builder is one of a handful of specialists entrusted with tuning and voicing the fabled instrument as Notre Dame prepares to reopen on December 7 after a devastating fire in 2019.

A Dream Come True

Sekiguchi moved to France in his twenties to become an organ builder and restorer, dreaming of a chance to work on the “voice” of the masterpiece of Gothic architecture. “I wanted to come to France because that’s where it’s happening. But when I told my family, they thought I was a bit out of my depth,” Sekiguchi, who hails from Sendai in north-eastern Japan, said in fluent French.

A Challenging Task

For three weeks a month, Sekiguchi handled maintenance operations, including tuning the organ, adapting to the constraints of one of the most visited places in France. “Time is very limited,” he said. “You have to work at night because otherwise it disturbs the tourists, but also because you need absolute silence for the tuning.”

A Fearful Moment

But the dream was short-lived. A year later, a fire ravaged the cathedral, and Sekiguchi lost his job. He found solace in the fact that the organ was spared by the flames and was doused with relatively little water as firefighters fought to save the historic structure. “I was afraid for the organ because during the night we didn’t know what was going on, we had contradictory information, it was a nightmare,” he said.

Restoration and Tuning

Although it was not directly affected by the fire, the instrument still suffered. Lead residue seeped into the organ and the instrument was further weakened by scorching temperatures during a summer heatwave in 2019. In December 2020, the organ was dismantled and sent for expert restoration. Three organ-building workshops were involved in the restoration work. After the work was completed, Sekiguchi and other specialists began to tune and voice the instrument, again working at night.

The Challenge of Voicing

The question on everyone’s lips is, how will the Great Organ sound now it is restored and when the cathedral opens its doors again? “It’s very difficult to give the right tone. A pipe can speak in 1,000 different ways,” organ builder Olivier Chevron, who invited Sekiguchi to work on the project, told AFP. The task is so specific that the organ builders make their own tools, some of which have no name, and rely on their know-how and subjectivity.

A Personal Connection

Sekiguchi has also been summoning his memories to help voice the instrument. Despite the mammoth task, he has relished the opportunity to help restore the French icon. “It’s a lot of things, a lot of honour but also a lot of work and responsibility,” he said. “It’s just incredible.”

Conclusion

Sekiguchi’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. From his childhood fascination with the organ to his current role as a leading expert in the field, he has always been driven by a desire to preserve and restore the voice of Notre Dame.

FAQs

Q: How long has Itaru Sekiguchi been working on the restoration of the Great Organ?
A: Sekiguchi has been working on the restoration project for over three years, starting from December 2020.

Q: What is the significance of the Great Organ of Notre Dame?
A: The Great Organ is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and one of the most famous organs in the world. It has been the voice of Notre Dame for over 300 years and is considered a symbol of French culture and heritage.

Q: How will the organ sound after its restoration?
A: According to Sekiguchi, the organ will sound better than ever before, with a warm and rich tone that reflects the sound colour of the cathedral.