Johann Adolph Hass

Johann Adolph Rudolph Hass (variants: Johan, Haas, Hasse, Hase, Hasch) (12 March 1713 – 29 May 1771) (dates of baptism and burial) was a German clavichord and harpsichord maker, the son of Hieronymus Albrecht Hass, who was also a clavier maker. He should not be confused with the German composer Johann Adolph Hasse.

He lived his life in Hamburg, and received his citizenship there on 28 October 1746. In 1747 he became a member of the city chamber of commerce. His daughter Margaretha Catharina married the instrument maker Johann Christoffer Krogmann (1748–1816), who may have succeeded to Hass's business; he built fortepianos in the English style.

The first mention of either he or his father as instrument makers was in 1758; 'Hasse in Hamburg' is described as the maker of a cembal d’amour by Adlung. Charles Burney included them in 1773 among well-known German organ builders; 'Hasse, father and son, both dead', he wrote, and added that 'their Flügel and Claviere are much sought after'.

His surviving instruments include one harpsichord and a number of clavichords, rarely fretted. These are generally large and brass-strung, with a compass of C to d''' or F' to f'''. He sometimes used 4' strings (an octave higher than the usual 8') for the bass. It was large instruments such as these that many late 18th-century German composers (such as C. P. E. Bach) had in mind when composing for the instrument, with good bebung ability and a bright tone.

References

• R. Russell: The Harpsichord and Clavichord (London, 1959, 2/1973)
• F. Hubbard: Three Centuries of Harpsichord Making (Cambridge, MA, 1965, 2/1967)
• Donald Howard Boalch/Peter Williams, Alexander Pilipczuk: 'Hass [Haas, Hasse, Hase, Hasch]', Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed 2007-06-08), http://www.grovemusic.com/