Michael Kestner 1732?-1793

Michael Kestner, who was presumably of Austrian or German descent and a member of the Roman Catholic faith, settled in Cluj with his family in the mid-18th century. Contrary to Transylvanian custom, his wife, Theresia Kestnerin, did not keep her maiden name. In 1775, their daughter was born and named Theresia after her mother. They probably had several other children who were born before the family settled in Cluj, whose names therefore do not appear in the Roman Catholic church records.

Also in 1775, Kestner built his very first organ for the Reformed wooden church located outside the medieval castle walls. Organ historians record three instruments made by the master, with further three attributed to him. In 1792, he completed his final instrument, the organ in Filpișu Mic.

Michael Kestner died in Cluj on December 14, 1793.

Ágota Adorjáni