(Erichsen) Daniel Erich

History

(Erichsen) Daniel Erich was a lutenist and lute maker who, on October 7, 1642, petitioned the council of Lübeck for admission, promising to acquire citizenship. He stated, "Nachdem für einem halben Jahre Albert Uhlig (Olrich) gewesener Violen- und Lautenmacher allhie mit todt abgegangen, wan ich dan in meiner Jugend die Kunst lauten, Violen und derogleichen musikalische Instrumenten zu verfertigen erlernet" (After half a year, Albert Uhlig (Olrich), former viol and lute maker here, passed away, and since I learned the art of making lutes, viols, and similar musical instruments in my youth).

His request was granted, and he was informed, "Dass er neue Lauten, Violen und andere musikalische Instrumente zu machen verlehnt worden, hatt ein Hochw. Raht decretieret, weil ihme die Musikanten ein gutt Bezeugniss geben, sey er damit Zeit seines Lebens belehnt" (That he was granted permission to make new lutes, viols, and other musical instruments, the honorable council decreed, because the musicians gave him a good testimony, he is thereby endowed for his lifetime).

He thus became Uhlig's successor. Later, on April 27, 1649, Daniel Erich, a privileged lute, viol, and instrument maker, filed a complaint against Diedrich Olrichs, a relative of his predecessor, alleging that Olrichs had not properly learned his craft. Erich's complaint stemmed from Olrichs taking "einen Tonier Scharden" (a school servant), "einen Schulknecht" (a school assistant), and Caspar Schuhmacher (a soldier) as apprentices, with Erich stating, "obwohl ein blinder dem andern den wegh nicht zeigen kann" (although a blind person cannot show the way to another). Records in the Marien baptismal register show him as the father of a son in both 1646 and 1649.

Craft

• Instrument Types: Daniel Erich crafted lutes, viols, and similar musical instruments ("Lauten, Violen und derogleichen musikalische Instrumenten").

Influence

• Training: Daniel Erich learned the art of making lutes, viols, and similar musical instruments in his youth ("in meiner Jugend die Kunst lauten, Violen und derogleichen musikalische Instrumenten zu verfertigen erlernet").
• Successor: He became the successor to Albert Uhlig (Olrich), a former viol and lute maker in Lübeck.

Legacy

• Privilege: The Lübeck council granted Daniel Erich the lifelong privilege to make new lutes, viols, and other musical instruments, based on good testimonials from musicians.
• Family: He is recorded as the father of a son in 1646 and again in 1649, according to the Marien baptismal register.

Further Information

• Location: Daniel Erich was active in Lübeck.
• Status: He was recognized as a "privilegierter Lauten, Violen und Instrumentenmacher" (privileged lute, viol, and instrument maker).

Summary

(Erichsen) Daniel Erich was a lutenist and lute maker active in Lübeck, who in 1642 successfully petitioned the city council to be granted the lifelong privilege of making lutes, viols, and other musical instruments, succeeding Albert Uhlig. He was involved in a legal dispute in 1649 regarding the proper training of apprentices.