William M. Goodrich

William M. Goodrich (* July 21, 1777 in Templeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, † September 15, 1833 ) was one of the first organ builder in the United States.

His father, Ebenezer Goodrich was a farmer in Templeton. He gained his knowledge through self-study, and gained first skills of a goldsmith at. Then he dealt with the repair of watches. He soon got the reputation of being able to do everything repaired. After a brief stint on Mr. Pratt, of Winchester, NH, who also built organs at the time. Already in 1804 he produced with his brother Ebenezer Goodrich a room Organ and Piano Forte. In 1806 he introduced the first church organ finished. Around the same time he entered into a partnership with Thomas Appleton, who took to wife his sister.

As of June 1811, Johann Nepomuk Mälzel Panharmonikon from Europe to Boston. Goodrich was commissioned to compile this and show off. In September 1811 this was reduced again and again erected in New York, where it was shown again; other cities followed. Goodrich was therefore not until June 18, 1812 in Boston. For these services he was never rewarded according to his information and made an outstanding balance of $ 600. He built 38 church organs; the total number of organs, the rooms organs not included. In 1823 he copied Mälzel Panharmonikon. Many of the later organ builder in the United States have learned from or about him. The beginnings of the "reed organ " ( Harmonium) go back to him. However, the first instruments were hardly comparable. His brother Ebenezer is only briefly mentioned in the biography, with some quotes in recent publications refer to this biography and use the name of Ebenezer Goodrich in place of William M. Goodrich. From 1807 Ebenezer Goodrich had his own operation, which produced mainly Room organs; 107 plus 10 in labor, it was at the time when the report was written. His brother in law Thomas Appleton worked a little longer with William M. Goodrich together, but was later also own ways whereby this organ builders remained. All three pooled an extremely important basis for the subsequent development of the organ and harmony remodeling, with William M. Goodrich clearly was the one who appropriated the necessary knowledge as the first and passed it willingly to others. Large financial gains had not reached these pioneers of organ building in America so or primarily in mind. It is recommended to read his detailed biography as a whole. An important market Stein in his development was a book on music theory and vocal practice, which fell into his hands. Noteworthy is also that he always appeared as a singing teacher, not only in Boston. Before he ever built an organ, it is mentioned that he retired with his violin and the book on vocal practice one week. He lay very great emphasis on harmony and euphony, harsh sounds that came later in fashion, were not wanted by him. He claimed that in the first place, the mood of an organ determines its quality.

Much more information can be found in the biography itself, some might be slightly inaccurate possibly because many statements relate directly to comments made by William M. Goodrich. "* [ ... ] Most of the dates, contained in this account of his life, were givenName by Mr. Goodrich to the writer, altogether from memory. It Is possible, THEREFORE, did some portions of them june not be strictly persons, Whose Inclinations and pursuits corresponded with his own. "