18th-century Dutch House Organ from the estate of the late noted American scholar, inventor and collector Charles Paine Fisher. This is a bureau or house organ signed “HENDRIK HERMANNs HESS ME FECIT GOUDAE MDCCLXXXVIII” (1788).
With a range of C–f’’’, the instrument possesses eight stops and a bass/treble division at b/c’. The pipes are original, with new tuning slides for the metal ones. Inscriptions on the original stop knobs read:
Holpyp. 8 voet Prestant. 8vt
Fluit. 4 voet Viool de Gambe. 8vt
Octaaf. 2 voet Holpyp. 8 voet
Gemshoorn. 1 voet Fluit 4 voet
Tremuland Gemshoorn. 3 voet
(missing label) Octaaf. 2 voet
The attractive case is in the form of a writing desk, veneered in yew inlaid with boxwood. A removable panel over the keyboard bears a large rosette with the Hess inscription and gilded carvings.
A translation is available of an article documenting the organ in de Mixtuur. E. Power Biggs and Daniel Pinkham used the Hess in a historic 1960 recording. Further information, details and photos are available on request. The instrument is in serviceable condition, located in Virginia near Washington, DC and can be played by appointment.
Please contact: Thomas and Barbara Wolf
540/253-5430
[email protected]
