he was born in kleinbobritzsch. he learnt to build organs from his brother in straßburg. in 1711 silbermann opened his own workshop in freiberg. then, in 1723 got the title "honorary court and state organ builder to the king of poland and elector of saxony" from frederick augustus i. gottfried silbermann designed and built approximately 50 organs. he had different ideas about organ building from arp schnitger who was an organ builder in the north of germany. silbermann's organs were some of the best instruments in the south of germany, some of them still exist. the hofkirche organ and that of freiberg cathedral are considered his greatest works.