30 years of the Toulouse les Orgues festival
‘Organ, Delight, Daring’. Last October, TLO organised an unforgettable weekend. Rémy Fombon shares his ‘memory book’ with us.
Saturday 4th October –
Temple du Salin, 11am
A surprise when we entered a packed temple: Our usual white heads had been replaced by little blonde ones!
Parents and children had come to hear a musical version of Hans de Beer’s famous children’s story, Plume’s Journey, written for organ by our Swiss friend Guy Bovet.
It was a guaranteed success for storyteller Louise Morel, accompanied by original images projected on a large screen, and for Anne-Gaëlle Chanon, whose virtuosity and emotion on the organ won over the audience.
Saint-Pierre des Chartreux church, 3pm
Let’s set off on an unusual tour of the church of Saint-Pierre des Chartreux, the students’ church in the heart of the university district. A landmark of Toulouse Baroque art, its monumental porch on the Rue Valade is an immediate eye-catcher. This is followed by an atrium, forming the narthex, before we discover the immense church, with two naves (the monks’ and the congregation’s), separated by a majestic double-sided high altar. Under the baton of Baptiste Genniaux, we discover the great Robert Delaunay Baroque organ and the Puget choir organ.
Saturday 4 October – Temple du Salin, 8pm
AUDACE: Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Not being a particular fan of blues-rock or Jimi Hendrix, I returned to the Temple du Salin that evening, a little dubious about this unusual sold-out concert. Yet, a unique musical experience awaited me: four extraordinary musicians had abandoned screaming guitars and synthesizers for pipe organ, bass clarinet, cello and double bass. An hour and a half of discoveries, thanks to the genius of the HOT Ensemble (Het Orgel Trio), in bold reinterpretations of Jimi Hendrix themes.
Improvisation, dialogues between instruments, spatialisation of sounds and play on sound space: a dazzling performance. Hats off to them!
Sunday 5 October – Église du Gesù, 11am on the ‘L’Exploreur’ organ
DÉLICES: music and tasting – Organ and chocolate
A challenge taken up by master chocolatier Jean-Pierre Dujon-Lombard and organist Yves Rechsteiner: the creation of five chocolates inspired by five organ works.
Listening and tasting simultaneously: a successful experiment, proving that hearing and taste can combine to sublimate and exalt sensory perception.
Sunday 5 October – Cathédrale Saint-Étienne, 4pm
Nicolas de Grigny: Hymns and Mass
Two friends and ‘compères’, Michel Bouvard and François Espinasse, offered us a few extracts from the organ works of one of the greatest French composers of the Baroque period.
Over an hour of pure pleasure, alternating organ and plain chant, performed in the stalls by the Antiphona ensemble.
30 years of existence – 25 concerts in 14 days – nearly 6,000 spectators, including 250 children – many sold-out concerts – 65 artists (including several young organists), 41 volunteers, 10 permanent members and 8 technicians. All ready for the 2026 season!
Hats off to the Toulousains!
