Silbermann (lived 17th–18th centuries)

German family of organ builders and harpsichord makers:

Andreas Silbermann (1678–1734), son of the carpenter Michael Silbermann. He worked with Casparini in Görlitz 1797–c. 99. He settled in Strasbourg in 1721 and built the cathedral organ there 1713–16.

Gottfried (1683–1753), the brother of Andreas. At first apprenticed to a bookbinder, he joined his brother in Strasbourg in 1702, staying there till 1710. He then settled in Freiberg, where he built the cathedral organ (1711–14), and died while at work on a new organ for the Dresden court. This organ, for the Katholische Hofkirch in Dresden, was largely destroyed by the British Royal Air Force in 1945. He also built harpsichords and clavichords (one of them commemorated by a piece by C P E Bach entitled ‘Farewell to my Silbermann Clavichord’), and was the first German to make pianos, including a grand which may have been used by J S Bach.

Johann Andreas (1712–1783), the son of Andreas. He built 54 organs, including two at Strasbourg and another at Arlesheim Cathedral.

Johann Daniel (1717–1766), the son of Andreas. He worked with his uncle, Gottfried, whose organ at Dresden he finished.

Johann Heinrich (1727–99), the son of Andreas. He made harpsichords and pianos, some with pedal boards.