The Cathedral of Barcelona has three organs in the Basilica itself, and another historic organ in the church of Sant Sever. The organ accompanies the Eucharistic celebrations and the prayer of the divine office.
Current organists of the Barcelona Cathedral: Josep M. Escalona i Canyet, Josep M. Nogués Rodés and Hèctor Paris Casadellà.
Artistic director of the Organ Cycle: Juan de la Rubia.
I. THE GRAND ORGAN
The Cathedral’s Grand Organ is of great artistic, liturgical and historical importance. It is inside the nave, under the bell tower, in the upper gallery over the door of Sant Iu. It was built between 1537 and 1539 and the windchest covers are decorated with grisailles by Pedro Pablo Serafín “the Greek”. The covers for the main organ are on display in the exhibition hall of the church of Sant Sever (at Carrer Sant Sever, 9) and in the Chapterhouse Museum, in the Cloister of the Cathedral.
The Cathedral’s Grand Organ was repaired and restored during the years 1985-1994 by Gabriel Blancafort. Since 1990, very popular concerts have been scheduled monthly in the Organ Cycle.
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II. THE ORGAN AT THE CHAPEL OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
In this chapel (also known as “del Sant Crist de Lepant”), the Cathedral preserves a historic positive organ from 1712, attributed to Josep Boscà. Restored in 1974 by Gabriel Blancafort. The organ received a second restoration in 2019 by Albert Blancafort and with the participation of Óscar Laguna.
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III. THE ORGAN AT THE CHOIR
The Cathedral Choir is the space where the Chapter of Canons sings the Divine Office. To accompany these celebrations, in 2021 the Cathedral acquired a positive organ.
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IV. THE ORGAN AT THE CHURCH OF SANT SEVER
The church of Sant Sever, belonging to the Cathedral Chapter and located very close (on Sant Sever street n. 4), is a true baroque jewel. Its construction ended in 1704.
The Sant Sever organ is in the Baroque style, built in 1721 by Josep Boscà. It is one of the few historical instruments that survived the civil war and without a doubt the best-preserved historical organ in Barcelona.
The last intervention was in 1988, carried out by Gabriel Blancafort.
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