Silbermann, Andreas

1678-1734

First of the celebrated Silbermann family of organ and instrument-makers. Andreas Silbermann was born in Klein-Bobritzsch, Saxony, the son of a carpenter, and from his early youth devoted himself to the study of organ-building. He finally settled in Strasburg, where he married Anna Maria Schmid, by whom he had twelve children, several of whom carried on their father's work. In the space of twenty-seven years, Silbermann constructed thirty organs, the most famous of which is the one in the Strasburg Cathedral. He died in Strasburg.