Franz Xaver Gruber

• Born: November 25, 1787
• Died: June 07, 1863
• Genres: Classical
• Instrument: Arranger, Composer, Performer

Biography

One would be remiss in not knowing the fact that Franz Gruber composed the Christmas hymn "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night). When mice ate the bellows of the organs, so the story goes, the first performance of the song had to be with a guitar accompaniment, though that was not the original setting. Gruber composed the music at the request of the priest Josef Mohr who had written the words. It was composed in the Germanic tradition of Weihnachtslieder, Austrian folk melodies and Italian pastorelles. Gruber learned music from the Burghausen organist, Hartdobler. He specifically learned how to play for choral services from a figured bass. ~ Keith Johnson, All Music Guide