Flute – LINTNER, Georg Leonhard

Flutes

This spectacular and rare flute was made by George Leonhard LINTNER (1794-1859), who was trained and licensed as both a brass and woodwind instrument maker – very rare at the time. He worked with his father, Johann Georg LINTNER, originally from Tyrnau in Slovakia, in their hometown of Augsburg in Bavaria, Germany.  His father was a leading brass instrument maker and it was agreed that to avoid competition, Leonard should only make woodwind instruments.

So, they had a workshop together and Leonhard’s instruments were highly regarded. He even won a prize for one of his clarinets for example. Unfortunately, he fell out with his father and had problems in his married life…becoming a protestant in order to get a divorce and remarry.  He moved premises to another town called Neu-Ulm, but came back again. There seems to have been quite some turmoil, especially with his second wife, Barbara Lintner (née Staudenmayer), who accused him of mistreating her, but she couldn’t get a separation. After Leonard’s death, in 1864, Barbara, who was his successor in the business, gave up the licence to make instruments, packed her bags and left for San Francisco.

This instrument can be dated to around 1840. It is made of ebony with a shellac finish. It features silver keys and rings. The maker’s stamp is present on all four sections of the flute. Its case is striking with its ruby red colour and intricate gold embossing.

Condition-wise, this Lintner flute is in very good condition for its age. It is sold as seen and it appears to have no cracks. There are however, two areas of minor damage to the foot joint, which can easily be restored. The embouchure is in completely original condition. The B-lever for the right hand is both unusual and special.  

This flute plays at a=440 Hz and the sound is bright-coloured and extremely elegant. Although this flute has a C-foot, it is very light, which makes it so unusual and coveted. It is easy to play and has very exact response in the high registers.

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E. Rittershausen, Berlin

One of the beautiful stories of mythology tells of the way the first musical instrument was suggested. As the story runs, as Orpheus was walking along the shores of the sea, his foot struck a reed that had been cast up by the waters, and had dried in the sun. The reed gave forth a soft, sweet sound as it was made to vibrate by the stroke of Orpheus’ foot and the result was the lyre or hand-harp of the ancient Egyptians. A similar story, and probably the same one adapted to the wind instruments, is that of Lucretius which says that “the simple flute had its origin from the breathing of western winds over certain reeds,” and thus was suggested the musical pipe, or simple tube, which has developed into one of the most fascinating of instruments.

The most elaborate and beautiful collection of flutes ever displayed in the United States, and probably in the world, was seen by visitors to the German section of the Columbian Exposition. The display was that of E. Rittershausen, of Berlin. It was arranged in a large, square glass case, and consisted of flutes made of various woods, of Ebonite and of sterling silver. The Rittershausen flutes are the standard of the world, and have received the indorsement of the best performers upon this favorite instrument. Until 1832 the flute was not regarded as a perfect instrument. In that year Theobald Boehm, of Munich, brought the instrument to such a degree of perfection as to make it one of the most prominent of orchestral and solo instruments. The Rittershausen flutes are made exactly upon the Boehm system, and with such wondrous skill and delicacy of workmanship as to have long since become the favorite of discriminating flutists. It is, in fact, the instrument universally referred to when the Boehm flute is desired.

Like the illustrious Boehm, Mr. Rittershausen is also a virtuoso as well as a manufacturer, devoting his entire faculties to the production of a perfect flute. By his own practical skill he is enabled to appreciate the many details and requirements in the construction of such an instrument as is demanded by the most fastidious virtuoso. This, it will readily be seen, is an invaluable consideration in the selection of a flute by a skilled performer. And in the rapid progress of musical culture of America, there are many lovers of the beautiful instrument who are its admirers and enthusiastic students at the present time.

Living in the musical city of Berlin, Mr. Rittershausen is thrown in personal contact with the greatest flutists of Europe, thereby receiving many suggestions from them that are of incalculable benefit in the manufacture of his instruments. The Rittershausen factory is located at 107 Bergmann street, Berlin, and its product has been famous from the establishing of the present business in 1870. Each year adds largely to the number of Rittenhausen-Boehm flutes in use in America, and they have received the highest testimonials from the most famous composers and performers in this country as well as those abroad. The American representative of the Rittershausen flutes is Mr. Carl Fischer, No. 6 Fourth Avenue, New York.

Musical Instruments at the World’s Columbian Exposition – Frank D. Abbottt, Charles A. Daniell – 1895 – P. 200