Josef Mohr wrote the lyrics to a hymn called "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night) in 1818. Mohr was the curate (priest) of the Saint Nicholas parish in Oberndorf, Austria, and his friend Franz Gruber composed the melody for two voices and guitar. According to the lore, the song was written for guitar because the organ was not working. Today, Silent Night is one of the most beloved Christmas hymns in the world.
It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics written by Joseph Mohr in the town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.
World War 1, during a spontaneous cease-fire between German and Allied infantry Somewhere on the western front? Around Xmas eve 1915?
The carol is 'Silent Night' (which is what Stille Nacht' means in German).
The origin of the Christmas carol we know as Silent Night was a poem that was written in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church had broken. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time! I found the preceding paragraph concerning Silent Night on a web site while looking for the words to the music. As shown above, the music was written for a guitar, and played by Franz Grueber (as spelled in my Hymnal). Otherwise, Oberndorf truly would have had a silent night that Christmas eve in 1818.
"O Holy Night" was a poem written in French by Placide Cappeau in 1847 who then asked his friend Adolphe Adams to compose music for it. It was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight in 1855.
Silent Night
The Christmas carol "Silent Night" was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber, with lyrics written by Josef Mohr. It was first performed on Christmas Eve of that year in Austria.
Silent Night
The Christmas carol first sung in 1818 in Austria was performed on Christmas Eve and was called "Stille Nacht". It was written by Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr. A quarter of a century later, the English translation "Silent Night" was published.
It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics written by Joseph Mohr in the town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.
The year 1818
The title of this popular carol is "Silent Night." It was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818 when the church organ broke down on Christmas Eve, and Joseph Mohr, a priest, wrote the lyrics.
1818
1818 = 2*32*101
World War 1, during a spontaneous cease-fire between German and Allied infantry Somewhere on the western front? Around Xmas eve 1915?
1818
The carol is 'Silent Night' (which is what Stille Nacht' means in German).