Théodore Salomé - Cantilène from Dix Pièces (1875)
The music of Parisian organist, Théodore Salomé, is not often heard. He played at La Trinité, later where the famed Messiaen played in the 20th century. However, Salomé was not the principal organist nor did he play on the Cavaillé-Coll grand organ. He played the orgue de choeur, a modest 12 rank instrument by the same, great builder. He was highly though of by the great contemporary organist of his time, namely Saint-Saëns and Guilmant. Apart from at least six anthologies of organ pieces, Salomé wrote choral and piano works.
The principal theme of the Cantilène is featured on the Hautbois (oboe) stop against an accompaniment where the left hand plays off beat to the pedal. A contrasting theme appears with a change of colour with the principal theme recurring. The contrasting theme leads to a coda.
The organ upon which I am playing is a rare instrument, at least for Australia. It is a French organ by the famous builder Théodore Puget Père et fils and was originally installed in 1890 in a Sacré Coeur Convent in Bordeaux, France. With the advent of an anti-clerical law in France in 1905 where religious instruction was outlawed in Catholic schools, the Mother General of the order had cleverly managed to spirit out of France the belongings of 45 Sacré Coeur Convents. Ironically, this Religieuses du Sacré Coeur de Jésus was established in the aftermath of the French Revolution to educate girls in the Catholic faith. The organ and furnishings of at least two French convents were relocated to Sydney. The organ was badly rebuilt in 1960 according to the fashion of the period. In 2012 the organ had been totally reconstructed as closely as possible to the 1890 version of the organ.http://www.puget-organ-restoration.org.au/ This organ of a mere 12 ranks is remarkable in its tonal colours. A third of these registers are reeds! In my performance you will see the use of ventils and other pedals which are typical of a 19th French Symphonic organ. Apologies for the tuning - the weather has been rather cold lately. 
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What a beautiful instrument. You're fortunate to have such an idiomatic instrument at your disposal for this music. Well done!
Thank you. It is a very rare instrument indeed. The jeu de fonds are pure velvet. It is amazing what variety can be obtained from a mere 12 registers.
I love this instrument and thanks for letting me play it a few years ago.
I am glad you enjoyed the experience. It is a very special instrument and, as consultant, I had done much research on it. This meant trips to France to see original Puget organs. I was also wrote to the eldest member of the Puget clan who sent me some very interesting documentation.