The Grand Van Bever Organ is the most significant and comprehensive of the instruments built by the brothers Adrien and Salomon Van Bever in Belgium. The instrument was built between 1909 and 1910 and inaugurated on May 11, 1910, by organist Alphonse Mailly.
Originally from Laeken, these brothers were highly influential organ builders in the 19th and 20th centuries. The concept and development of the “Belgian Romantic” organ are largely the result of their work. Adrien and Salomon Van Bever learned the art of organ building from Hippolyte Loret, a prolific Belgian organ builder whose works reflect the transitional period between traditional organ building and the shift toward the Romantic organ. In 1879–80, Salomon Van Bever also studied in the workshop of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. After the death of his brother Adrien, he took over the business.
Built in the spirit of the late 19th-century romantic-symphonic organ, the instrument reflects the Van Bever brothers’ desire to keep mechanical action for the majority of the key traction. Apart from a modification to two stops in 1959—which were restored to their original condition in 2013–15 during the most recent restoration—the instrument has remained entirely intact in its original form to this day. During the restoration, an electric assist was added to allow the Récit to be coupled to the Positive, providing greater playing comfort. This assist can be removed, leaving the instrument entirely in its original and historical state. This system thus allows the choice of coupling either electrically or mechanically.
The organ is particularly appreciated for its foundation stops, which form the solid base of a sonic pyramid. The Van Bever Grand Organ at the Dominican Church in Brussels is particularly well-suited for repertoire dating from 1850 to 1940, as well as for contemporary organ music. The Van Bever Grand Organ is regularly used as a concert instrument and for liturgical services.
For the past few years, the ongoing maintenance of the Van Bever organ has been handled by organist Michel Goossens of Overijse.