Albertus Antonius Hinsz

Memorial in the Lutherse Kerk, Groningen: "Between the eastern pillars of this church lies, in grave No. 18, the organ builder Albertus Antonie Hinsz"

Albertus Antonius Hinsz (also: Albert Anthoni Hinsch; born 1704 in Hamburg, died 17 March 1785 in Uithuizen, the Netherlands) was an organ builder in the Netherlands, who followed in the tradition of Arp Schnitger.

Life

Albertus Antonius Hinsz probably learned his trade with either or both of Joachim Richborn and Franz Caspar Schnitger. In 1728 he settled in Groningen where, on 28 December 1732, he married the widow of Franz Caspar Schnitger, taking over Schnitger's workshop. Hinsz built numerous organs in the North German tradition, across the provinces of Groningen and Friesland. Many of his organs survive to the current day. Tonally, Hinsz organs are noted for their "golden" tone, a result of his tierce-containing mixtures. Architecturally, the casework of his organs follows the pattern of Arp Schnitger. He was a life-long friend of , organist at the Martinikerk in Groningen, who also came from Hamburg. Hinsz died during the construction of the organ at Uithuizermeeden. He is buried in the Lutherse Kerk in Groningen, where he is commemorated with a memorial stone.

After his death, his stepson jr. together with Heinrich Hermann Freytag took over his workshop, which continued to build organs in Netherlands in the tradition of Arp Schnitger into the 19th century.

Organs on which Hinsz worked

The roman numerals indicate the number of manuals. An uppercase "P" indicates an independent pedal organ with its own sounding stops, while a lowercase "p" indicates a pull-down pedal linked to the keyboards, merely allowing the player to play manual keyboard notes with their feet. The Arabic numerals indicate the number of sounding registers (i.e. stop-knobs excluding accessories such as tremulants and couplers).

160x160px III/P 47 Hinsz completed a restoration of the Arp-Schnitger organ initiated by F.C. Schnitger; in 1740 he extended the organ. Major changes were made later, such that the organ today (III/P/52) contains only 2-3 stops from Hinsz. → Organ details 1731 Zandeweer Hervormde Kerk 160x160px II/p 16 This was the first organ newly-built by Hinsz; its disposition was changed in the 19th and 20th centuries1733–1734 Leens Petruskerk center 160x160px II/p 20 Hinsz added new pipework to the Hauptwerk (Great) division of an organ from 1562. In 1803, H.H. Freytag replaced the pipework of the 1738 Kampen Broederkerk center 160x160px III/P 32 A new-build using ranks derived from a previous organ; rebuilt in 1822 by A. van Gruisen (II/p), extended and modified later still 1738 Utrecht Utrecht University 160x160px I/p A new-build for the Lutheran church in Deventer, extended in 1963 to II/P/22 1739 Bronkhorst 160x160px I 7 A newly-built chamber organ for Utrecht(?). The disposition was changed in the 19th century. Has been moved between various locations1741–1743 Kampen Bovenkerk center 160x160px III/p 33 An enlargement of the existing organ of 1676, this is Hinsz's largest organ. It was extended in 1790 by H.H. Freytag and F.C. Schnitger to give it an independent pedal and Brustwerk (IV/P/46), and later modified still further. Today's disposition is IV/P/56. → 1744 Appingedam Nicolaikerk 160x160px II/p 20 A new-build making use of ranks from the 16th century; well preserved 1751 Meeden Benedictuskerk 160x160px I/p 8 A rebuild using a large part of the pipework of the previous organ by (1643)1752/1768 Noordbroek center 160x160px II/P 24 An enlargement of the Arp Schnitger organ of 1696, with changes in disposition; rebuilt in 1809 by H.H. Freytag; disposition further altered in 1855 by → 1754 Kampen center 160x160px II/P 20 A new-build using older pipework1756–1758 Peize Hervormde Kerk 160x160px II/P 22 An enlargement of a previous organ by A. Verbeeck (1631) and Arp Schnitger (1696–1697) adding a Rückpositiv. The organ was located in the Peper-Gasthuiskerk in Groningen until 1862 1765 Tzum St. John's Church center 160x160px II/p 20 Rebuild of an organ by Stevens1763–1766 Leer 160x160px II/p 21 A major rebuild that Hinsz created an entirely different organ from its predecessor by (1609). He enlarged the Hauptwerk from its previous disposition and keyboard compass, provided new casework, and enlarged the Rückpositiv. Today the has a disposition of III/P/371766–1767 Sexbierum Hervormde Kerk center 160x160px II/P 27 A new-build. In 1922-1924 the pipework was entirely replaced save a single rank. Six ranks from Hinsz went to Boornbergum, one to Waaxens and four to Sebaldeburen 1769 Wassenaar Dorpskerk center 160x160px II/p 13 A new-build. In 1792 the Rückpositiv was extended by L. van Dam. Today's disposition is I/p/20 1770 Haren Dorpskerk center 160x160px II/p 20 Enlargement of an organ by Arp Schnitger from 1693/1712. In 1875 the disposition was changed by P. van Oeckelen. → 1775–1776 Harlingen Grote Kerk center 160x160px II/P 34 A new-build, subsequently modified by P. van Oeckelen in 1864. Modified again by Pieter van Dam in the early 20th Century, and various other builders since, culminating in a tonal restoration in 2011. Subsequently, the original contract for the instrument has been discovered. 1776–1777 Dantumawoude Benedictuskerk 160x160px I/p 8 New-build1777–1778 Minnertsga Hervormde Kerk 160x160px II/p 20 A new-build, destroyed by fire in 19471777–1780 Roden Hervormde Kerk 160x160px II/p 17 New-build. The organ was restored as far as possible to its original tuning, pitch and sound in 2005 1776–1781 Bolsward Martinikerk center 160x160px II/P 34 A new-build, extended in 1861 by L. van Dam, who added an Oberwerk. The disposition today is III/P/421781–1783 Driesum Grote Kerk center

Literature Jan Jongepier (Ed.): Een konstkundig orgelmaker. Enkele bijdragen over het werk van de orgelmaker Albertus Anthoni Hinsz (1704–1785). Stichting Groningen Orgelland, Groningen 1994. Willem Jan Dorgelo: Albertus Anthoni Hinsz. Orgelmaker 1704–1785. Lykele Jansma, Augustinusga 1985. De Groninger orgelmaker Albertus Anthoni Hinsz (1704–1785). Ommelander Museum, Leens 1981.