Wilhelm Hey (organ builder)

Wilhelm Hey (* 1840 in Urspringen ; † 1921 , ibid) was a German organ builder and founder of the Hey Orgelbau company in Urspringen.

Life

Wilhelm Hey was initially a carpenter in his father's workshop and switched to organ building at the suggestion of Michael Katzenberger . He learned the craft from Carl August Randebrock in Paderborn , East Westphalia , where he made it to the position of foreman. In 1870 he went to the USA on behalf of his master to set up a large organ in Detroit . In Germany at that time Wilhelm Hey was working on organs in Warburg , Werl ( St. Walburga ) and Corvey . The Sondheim chronicler H. Kaiser reports on a story by Wilhelm Hey:

“In the Westphalian town of Paderborn he learned the art of organ building and had to work on the organ of the beautiful Catholic Church in Corvey on the Weser. At that time, however, old Hoffmann von Fallersleben lived in the castle at Corvey , and the apprentice often saw the worthy man in the white goatee with the large coat striding across the courtyard of the castle. But once he was called to the poet's apartment to tune the piano there - for a very famous guest, as he was told. This was none other than the greatest piano player of all time, Franz Liszt from Weimar. I asked if he had heard the great artist play the piano too. No, not that - but a glass of wine was brought in for my work, and I was happy to pour it out for the good of those two famous men. "

When Michael Katzenberger died in 1874, Wilhelm Hey returned home, equipped with qualified knowledge and extensive experience, and at the age of 34 took over his clientele and workshop. The 125th anniversary of the Hey company was established on this date.

Wilhelm Hey quickly won the trust of customers at the border triangle of Thuringia, Hesse and Bavaria. He built the new organs with classicist rectangular or arched prospects . His works still testify to the high level of craftsmanship and artistic skill. Numerous certificates and reports speak for the high quality of the work, for the skill and craftsmanship of the old master.

The following testimony provides information about Wilhelm Hey's working method, which the bishop's organ expert and city cantor Johannes Gesang from Fulda wrote about the repairs in the Catholic Church Hofbieber- Kleinsassen in the years 1884–85 ; it is said:

“At the request of the praiseworthy church council of the parish, I examined the work described above on June 8th. Mr. Hey carried out the work listed in the attached cost estimate on time and precisely. The pipework is in the best condition, the new pipes are nicely and neatly made, the three basses have also been thoroughly repaired. (...) The mechanics and the government work are well prepared. The two bellows are also very good and durable. (...) Intonation and tuning also leave nothing to be desired. I can only express my full satisfaction to Mr. Hey and praise that, with modest demands, he carried out the repairs with a lot of skill, diligence and great perseverance and thereby demonstrated his proficiency in organ building in the best possible way, which I would recommend to everyone. "

See also

List of organ builders

Web links

Hey organ building