Peter A. von Hagen

Biography

Peter A. von Hagen arrived in Boston from New York around 1795, having recently come from London, and was soon appointed musical conductor of the Federal Street Theatre. His card advertised him as a teacher of pianoforte and harpsichord by the best London methods, and as a repairer and tuner of those instruments. In October 1792 he and his wife had appeared in a New York concert together with Mrs. Mechler. In December 1797 he published the first number of his Musical Magazine, selling music imported from London out of his shop at 3 Cornhill, Boston. Spillane considers it probable that von Hagen, an accomplished musician and tuner, assisted Benjamin Crehore -- who lacked acoustic expertise -- in producing Crehore's earliest pianofortes. From 1801 von Hagen sold Crehore's instruments in his Common Street store alongside imported pianos, remaining in partnership with Crehore until 1807. He kept pianoforte warerooms on Essex Street until retiring from business in 1808 to devote himself entirely to his professional (teaching) duties. He is also credited with teaching tuning to Alpheus Babcock.

Highlights

• Came to Boston from New York around 1795, recently from London, and was soon appointed musical conductor of the Federal Street Theatre.
• Published the first number of his Musical Magazine in December 1797, selling imported London music from his Cornhill address.
• Sold Benjamin Crehore's pianofortes in his own store from 1801 and remained in partnership with Crehore until 1807; likely assisted Crehore with the acoustic side of his earliest instruments.

Source

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 49, 50, 51, 52, 54.

Public domain.