When was Franz Jakob Späth born and where did he live?
Franz Jakob Späth entered the world in Regensburg, a city that hosted his entire professional life. He lived there from birth until his death on the 23rd of July 1786.
Questions about Franz Jakob Späth
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What invention did Franz Jakob Späth present to the Elector of Bonn in 1751?
In 1751, Späth presented a tangent piano to the Elector of Bonn using non-pivoting vertical hammers called tangents instead of traditional pivoted hammers. The instrument offered thirty tone variations initially which increased to fifty by 1770.
Who apprenticed with Franz Jakob Späth between 1749 and 1750?
Johann Andreas Stein apprenticed with Franz Jakob Späth from 1749 to 1750. Stein's claviorgan of 1781 clearly shows Späth's influence on his work.
Which organs did Franz Jakob Späth build for churches in Regensburg?
Späth built the organ for Regensburg's Dreieinigkeitskirche which was completed in 1758. He also constructed the organ in Oswaldkirche during 1753.
Did Mozart and Beethoven play instruments made by Franz Jakob Späth?
Mozart wrote to his father in 1777 stating that Späth's fortepianos were his favorite before he encountered Stein's work. Reports indicate Beethoven refused to play on an instrument made by Späth because he played Stein's instruments in Bonn.