The Hichwa-Rachor database contains one original bassoon of Heinrich Grenser (1764-1813) and Samuel Gottfried Wiesner (1791-1868). The firm with the stamp H. Grenser & Wiesner flourished in Dresden between 1817 and 1826. Wiesner joined the Grenser firm as a journeyman in 1811 and married Heinrich’s widow in 1817. Wiesner signed his instruments H. Grenser & Wiesner from 1817 until 1826 when he started signing only his name. It should be noted that it was common for widows to marry journeymen of their husband’s workshops. The firm made other woodwinds, not just bassoons.
Grenser, H. & Wiesner Literature
[Revised 8 February 2025]
Dullat, Günter. Verzeichnis der Holz- und Metallblasinstrumentenmacher auf Deutschsprachigem Gebiet von 1500 bis Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts. Tutzing: Scheider, 2010.
Heyde, Herbert. “Die Werkstatt von Augustin Grenser d. Ä. und Heinrich Grenser in Dresden.” Tibia, Moeck, no. 4 (1993): 593–602.
Heyde, Herbert. Musikinstrumentenbau in Preussen. Tutzing: Schneider, 1994.
Hofer, Achim, et al. Lexikon der Holzblasinstrumente, 317, 318. Laaber: Laaber-Verlag, 2018.
Jansen, Will. The Bassoon: Its History, Construction, Makers, Players and Music, Vol. 1, 381, 515, 516. Buren: Frits Knuf, 1978.
Waterhouse, William. The New Langwill Index. London: Tony Bingham, 1993.
Young, Phillip. 4900 Historical Woodwind Instruments. London: Tony Bingham, 1993.
Grenser, H. & Wiesner, 11 key bassoon; GrenserH&Wiesner-O-Leipzig3204
GrenserH&Wiesner1-O-Leipzig3204 General Information