Münster Fugue

 Organ : Berner Münster : Bern, CH

The Berner Münster is home to another great organ. In 1726, this organ was commissioned for the Cathedral of Berne. In 1999, the organ was restored and expanded at a cost of Sfr 4 million (more than US$3 million at that time.) We were fortunate to hear the organ while we were there and I found this video of organist Diane Bish playing the Münster organ. To hear her play a toccata on this magnificent piece, go here. To see more pictures of this organ, go here.


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Catedral de la Almudena

Colorful ceilings and domes : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

I love shooting churches and cathedrals and I've shot a lot of them as a photographer. From Notre Dame in Paris to the Abbey at Bellelay in Switzerland, from the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to the Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois, religious edifices fascinate me.

Contemporary stained glass : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

The Santa Iglesia Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena, though, has to be hands down the most beautiful cathedral I have ever photographed. I'll let the photos and the slideshow (see below) speak for themselves.

Filli : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

Organ : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

... Slideshow ...

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

D’Orgue à Bellelay

The organ loft in the church at Bellelay Abbey : Belleley, CH

The trip home from Basel, CH, was taken on the back roads of French-speaking Switzerland. The town of Bellelay features an abbey, which now serves as a psychiatric clinic. The building includes a beautiful Baroque chapel, which is where this organ is at. I believe it's made from blue marble. Either way, it was gorgeous!

Different angle of the same organ : Bellelay, CH

Detail : Organ at the Bellelay Abbey : Bellelay, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 8/10

Stringed Instruments and Organs...

Sing and dance, sayeth the Lord : Cathedral of Saint Nicolas : Fribourg, CH

Restoration work is currently ongoing on the organ in the Cathedral of Saint Nicolas, but artwork running along the organ loft was quite beautiful and had to be photographed. The passage is Psalm 150:4--"Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs."

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 8/10

Organ Loft

Organ Loft : Cathedral of Lausanne : Lausanne, CH

This is the organ loft at the back of the cathedral in Lausanne. For not having my tripod with me and having to use the top of a chair, I think this turned out all right.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/09