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Our company history
The organ builders of the Späth family from Ennetach-Mengen in Oberschwaben and today Freiburg
Alois Späth
Master organ builder
Born 16 June 1825 in Ennetach
Died 7 July 1876 in Ennetach
The picture shows Alois Späth, his wife Thekla, Franz Xaver (beside Alois), Karl (beside Thekla), in front Anna Pauline (later sister Dionysia) and Albert (in front of Alois).
From 1844, after his cabinet-maker apprenticeship, he was trained to be an organ builder by Vitus Klingler in Ennetach. In 1862 he took over his workshop. He built 6 organs ranging from 8 to 18 stops for Dankensweiler, Braunenweiler, Allmensweiler, Levertsweiler, Mengen, Hirrlingen near Rottenburg.
Engraving with view of Ennetach
First generation:
Photograph from 1865
Master organ builder
Born 16 June 1825 in Ennetach
Died 7 July 1876 in Ennetach
The picture shows Alois Späth, his wife Thekla, Franz Xaver (beside Alois), Karl (beside Thekla), in front Anna Pauline (later sister Dionysia) and Albert (in front of Alois).
From 1844, after his cabinet-maker apprenticeship, he was trained to be an organ builder by Vitus Klingler in Ennetach. In 1862 he took over his workshop. He built 6 organs ranging from 8 to 18 stops for Dankensweiler, Braunenweiler, Allmensweiler, Levertsweiler, Mengen, Hirrlingen near Rottenburg.
Second generation:
Franz Xaver Späth
Franz Xaver Späth
Master organ builder
Born 22 November 1859
Died 5 October 1940
Master organ builder
Born 22 November 1859
Died 5 October 1940
Albert Späth
Master organ builder
Born 15 February 1866
Died 8 March 1948
Master organ builder
Born 15 February 1866
Died 8 March 1948
1891 they found the company:
Logo of Gebrüder Späth
1902 Opus 100 is produced:
Opus 100
1912 Opus 200; 1923 Opus 300
1912 Title: Master organ builder by appointment to the court of Sigmaringen
1928 Title: Papal court suppliers
1912 Title: Master organ builder by appointment to the court of Sigmaringen
Sigmaringer Wappen
Home and Workshop around 1920
1928 Title: Papal court suppliers
Third generation:
August Späth
August Späth
Master organ builder
Born 4 September 1908
Died 25 September 1979
Master organ builder
Born 4 September 1908
Died 25 September 1979
Dr. Karl Späth
Born 3 November 1899
Died 30 October 1971
Born 3 November 1899
Died 30 October 1971
Apprenticeship with his father Franz-Xaver
Further qualifications with Stahlhut in Aachen and Seifert in Cologne From 1934 co-partner of the company Späth Bros. 1964 he takes over the branch in Freiburg with his son Hartwig and founds the company:
Further qualifications with Stahlhut in Aachen and Seifert in Cologne From 1934 co-partner of the company Späth Bros. 1964 he takes over the branch in Freiburg with his son Hartwig and founds the company:
Logo Freiburger Orgelbau
Fourth generation:
Hartwig Späth
Hartwig Späth
Born 08 February 1942 in Ennetach
From 1958 Apprenticeship with his father
1959-1965 Business studies in Munich
1964 several months practical course with Rieger, Vorarlberg
1965 Trade examination in economic engineering
From 1965 Working with his father
1970 Master's degree in Ludwigsburg
From 1979 Sole owner of the company Freiburger Orgelbau
Born 08 February 1942 in Ennetach
From 1958 Apprenticeship with his father
1959-1965 Business studies in Munich
1964 several months practical course with Rieger, Vorarlberg
1965 Trade examination in economic engineering
From 1965 Working with his father
1970 Master's degree in Ludwigsburg
From 1979 Sole owner of the company Freiburger Orgelbau
Since the foundation of the company Freiburger Orgelbau over 200 organs have been built. Of these 30 were delivered abroad:
4 organs to the USA (3 with three manuals, 1 house organ)
11 organs to England
9 organs to Ireland
1 organ to Tanzania, East Africa
2 organs to Austria
3 organs to Switzerland.
"Organs by Hartwig Späth are noted for casework design which complements the architecture of the building. Whether built in modern or historical style, they serve as a good example of present-day South German organ building."
4 organs to the USA (3 with three manuals, 1 house organ)
11 organs to England
9 organs to Ireland
1 organ to Tanzania, East Africa
2 organs to Austria
3 organs to Switzerland.
"Organs by Hartwig Späth are noted for casework design which complements the architecture of the building. Whether built in modern or historical style, they serve as a good example of present-day South German organ building."
A quotation from the book '100 Jahr Bund Deutscher Orgelbaumeister'. Hermann Fischer 1991
Fifth generation:
Tilmann Späth
Tilmann Späth
Born 13 Mai 1984 in Freiburg
2001-2004 Apprenticeship at Rensch Organbuilding in Lauffen am Neckar
From 2004-2008 member of the company
2005 practical course with Fa. Orguian, Santo Tirso (Portugal)
2008 Master's degree in Ludwigsburg
Since fall 2008 co-owner of the company
2008-9 Academy for Business Management in Craft Industries
2009 Buildings Energy Management Adviser's qualification
Born 13 Mai 1984 in Freiburg
2001-2004 Apprenticeship at Rensch Organbuilding in Lauffen am Neckar
From 2004-2008 member of the company
2005 practical course with Fa. Orguian, Santo Tirso (Portugal)
2008 Master's degree in Ludwigsburg
Since fall 2008 co-owner of the company
2008-9 Academy for Business Management in Craft Industries
2009 Buildings Energy Management Adviser's qualification