Background
Silbermann was born on 16 May 1678 in Kleinbobritzsch, near Frauenstein, Saxony, the son of a joiner.
Silbermann was born on 16 May 1678 in Kleinbobritzsch, near Frauenstein, Saxony, the son of a joiner.
He himself trained as a joiner in Freiberg under George Lampertius, but soon afterwards learnt the art of organ building, moving to Alsace in 1699. The exact timing and source of his training is unknown, with proposed names of his mentor including Friederich Ring and Daniel Übermann. During his early work in Alsace, Silbermann carried out renovation work on the organ constructed by Johann-Jacob Baldner in the church of Street Léger in Bouxwiller.
After this, he moved to work with Strasbourg organ builder Friderich Ring, settling permanently in the city in 1701 and receiving citizenship on 15 March 1702.
Between 1704 and 1706, Silbermann moved to Paris, where he worked with François Thierry, having a particular concern to develop his understanding in the French style. In the following years, Silbermann was involved in several major commissions, including constructing an organ at Strasbourg Cathedral (1714–1716), which was the largest organ he built during his career.
Trained under his father, Johann collaborated with Andreas during the final years of his life and continued the family business after his death. Silbermann died on 16 March 1734 in Strasbourg.
1706 – Collegium Wilhelmitanum
1707 – Saint Nicholas Church, Strasbourg
1709-1710 – Marmoutier Abbey, Alsace
1711 – Basle Cathedral
1714-1716 – Strasbourg Cathedral
1718 – Saint Aurelia"s Church, Strasbourg
1721 – Église Saints Simon et Jude, Ottrott
1726 – Dominican Church, Colmar
1729-1730 – Street Cyriaque, Altorf
1732 – Church of Saint Maurice, Ebersmunster, Alsace
1732 – Church of Street Matthieu, Colmar
1733 – Rosheim.