Hess, Hendrik Hermanus (1735-1794)

Abstract

Dutch organbuilder of German background. Hess was born in Leeuwarden on 10 October 1735; his parents had moved there from Grünstadt, near Worms. When his brother Joachim HESS was appointed organist of the Jacob François MOREAU organ at the St. Janskerk in Gouda in 1754, he encouraged Hendrik to move there and become an organbuilder. Since Hendrik had no experience in this area, Joachim bought the necessary tools and books on organ building, and hired several craftsmen to show his brother various techniques. They finally employed a "German mate, capable in every respect" (probably Johannes Josephus Milterreither, 1733-1800) to teach Hendrik the remainder of his craft. In later years, Hendrik employed JOHANN CASPAR FRIEDERICHS and probably Johannes Pieter Künckel (1750-1815).