Valère (Die Älteste Orgel Der Welt = L'Orgue Le Plus Ancien Du Monde = The World's Oldest Organ)

Released in 1987 under the Ex Libris label, this recording captures the historic organ located in the Basilique de Valère in Sion, Switzerland. Often cited as the oldest playable organ in the world, the instrument dates back to the early 15th century, specifically around 1435. Albert Bolliger, a noted organist and musicologist, selected this project to document the unique sonic properties and historical significance of an instrument that has survived remarkably intact through centuries of use.

Bolliger's approach to the performance was intended to honor the specific acoustic character of the Valère Basilica, which demands a repertoire suited to the organ's meantone temperament and medieval mechanical limitations. The recording process was meticulously designed to capture the raw, resonant airiness of the original pipes. Upon its release, the record was well received within specialized circles of early music enthusiasts and organ scholars for its clear, unadorned representation of early instrumental textures.