Pipe organ of Candé castle, Pipe organ at Château de Candé, France
The pipe organ at Château de Candé is an instrument containing 1,812 pipes arranged across 27 stops, constructed from wood, tin, lead, and animal hide. The instrument occupies a prominent place in the castle's chapel and remains intact today.
The organ was built in 1928 by American organ builder Ernest Martin Skinner for castle owner Charles Bedaux. Its inaugural performance took place in 1930 and represented a significant milestone in the castle's artistic development.
The organ played during the wedding ceremony of the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson in 1937, marking a notable moment in British royal history. This event connected the instrument to an international historical occasion.
The organ underwent extensive restoration between 2005 and 2012 and functions fully today. Visitors can view it in the castle's chapel, where its mechanical structure and sound have been preserved.
This instrument is one of only three functioning Skinner residential organs remaining worldwide and can be played both manually and with automatic rolls. This dual capability makes it a technically notable example of early 20th century organ craftsmanship.
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