Otto Windisch

History

Otto WINDISCH (1866-1935) was born in Schöneck in 1866 and died in Schilbach, Germany, in 1935. He was an apprentice to Himmer in Schöneck and subsequently worked as an assistant for Gläsel and Herwig. In 1886, he established his own independent business in Schöneck, which, owing to his musical education, rapidly grew to become one of Germany's largest stringed instrument factories, employing an average of 40 assistants. According to John Dilworth, he retired in 1903, passing the management of the firm to his son, Paul Windt. A branch of the factory, including an office and warehouse, was opened in Schöneck in October 1903.

Craft

• Production: His workshop engaged in mass production, fulfilling orders for up to 10,000 pieces.
• Artist Instruments: He also dedicated particular care to the production of artist violins, achieving significant success.
• Violoncellos: His violoncellos, often built after Stradivari models, received widespread recognition for their easy response in all positions and absence of disturbing 'Poltertöne' (rumbling tones).

Influence

• Training: He was a student of Himmer in Schöneck.
• Work Experience: He worked as an assistant for Gläsel and Herwig.

Legacy

• Awards: He received a silver medal at the Saxon-Thuringian Exhibition in 1897.
• Awards: He was awarded the gold medal with an honorary cross at the International Industrial Exhibition in Marseille in 1898.
• Awards: Further accolades include awards in Nice in 1899 and a large gold medal in Leipzig in 1901.
• Succession: He passed the management of his firm to his son, Paul Windt, upon his retirement in 1903.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: He established his independent business in Schöneck in 1886.
• Branch Office: A branch of the factory, including an office and warehouse, was opened in Schöneck in October 1903.
• Workforce: His factory employed an average of 40 assistants.

Summary

Otto WINDISCH (1866-1935) was a German luthier who established one of the largest stringed instrument factories in Germany in Schöneck in 1886, after training with Himmer and working for Gläsel and Herwig. His workshop was known for both mass production and high-quality artist violins and Stradivari-model violoncellos, earning him multiple international awards. He retired in 1903, transferring the business to his son, Paul Windt.