A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Fritz, Barthold

by Mary Catherine Hamilton

FRITZ, Barthold, celebrated mechanician and maker of instruments, son of a miller, born near Brunswick 1697. He had no education, but found out for himself the principles of organ-building, and made in all nearly 500 organs, clavecins, and clavichords, beginning in 1721 with a clavichord of 4 octaves. The tone of all his instruments was good, especially in the bass. He died at Brunswick July 17, 1766. He published 'Anweisung, wie man Claviere ... in allen zwölf Tönen gleich rein stiminen könne, etc.' (Leipzig 1756–7–80), a new system of tuning keyed instruments by means of fifths and octaves, which, though erroneous, had much success, having gone through 3 editions, and being translated into Dutch by no less a person than Hummel.

[ M. C. C. ]