Short bio Franz Xaver Gruber
Full biography Franz Xaver Gruber
Franz Xaver Gruber was an Austrian primary school teacher , church organist, and composer, born on November 25, 1787, in Upper Austria. He is best known for composing the melody for the popular Christmas carol, "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht" in German) in 1818. His fame rests almost entirely on this famous song, which has been translated into over 300 languages and dialects.
Gruber was raised in a humble family, and his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps as a weaver. However, Gruber's love for music and teaching won out, and he became a primary school teacher in addition to being a church organist and choirmaster. He composed "Silent Night" in only a few hours, with lyrics written by Joseph Mohr, a young priest whom he collaborated with.
Despite the popularity of "Silent Night" after it was first performed in 1818, Gruber remained a relatively obscure figure during his lifetime. He continued to work as a teacher and organist, and composed numerous other works, including church music, pieces for piano, and even an opera. However, it is "Silent Night" that remains his most enduring legacy, and it has become one of the most beloved and familiar Christmas songs around the world.
Gruber passed away on June 7, 1863, in his hometown of Hallein, Austria, at the age of 75. His grave, as well as the schoolhouse he once initiated, still stands today as a testament to his life and work.
Compositions featuring Franz Xaver Gruber
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night) | 3:32 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | 1818 |
| 2 | Erdberger Tanz | 4:12 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 3 | Glade Jul (Joyful Christmas), song for voice | 3:01 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 4 | Heiligste Nacht, song (attrib.) | 3:28 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 5 | Hochszeitmesse in D | Choral | - | |
| 6 | Hornemesse in D | Choral | - | |
| 7 | Welch ein Jubelton, Christmas song for soprano, alto & concertante organ | 2:25 min | Vocal Music | - |
Albums featuring Franz Xaver Gruber
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Dresdner Kreuzchor, Brahms, Benjamin Britten, Bruckner, Peter Cornelius (2), Hugo Distler, Johannes Eccard, Ludwig Gossner, Franz Gruber, Homilius, Heinrich Kaminski, Zoltán Kodály, Francis Poulenc, Josef Rheinberger, Schütz, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Jo | 1996 | Deutsche Grammophon |
| 2 |  |
Kathleen Ferrier, Schumann, Schubert, Brahms, Gruber, Wade – Schumann • Brahms • Schubert(CD, Album, Remastered, Mono) | 1992 | Decca |
| 3 |  |
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht(LP) | 1989 | Syncop |
| 4 |  |
Franz Liszt, César Franck, Antonio Vivaldi, Franz Gruber, Georg Friedrich Händel, Robert Schumann, Johann Sebastian Bach, Frédéric Chopin, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Musiche da Cerimonia e di Circostanza - Vol.2(LP) | 1985 | Ars Nova (2) |
| 5 |  |
Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht | 1978 | Schwann Musica Sacra |
| 6 |  |
Chœur Et Orchestre Symphonique, Boris Mersson, Hardy Schneiders – Christmas - Noël - Weihnachten - Natale International | 1968 | Concert Hall |
| 7 |  |
Franz Grüber, Paduan Suara R. R. I. Dbp. B. Sitompul – Malam Tenang, Malam Teteram(7", 45 RPM) | - | Irama |
| 8 |  |
Franz Gruber, Caspar Othmayr, Jacob Praetorius, Johannes Eccard, Samuel Scheidt, Michael Praetorius, Johann Sebastian Bach, Leonhart Schröter, George Frideric Handel – An Old World Christmas - Holiday Favorites From Europe(LP, Compilation, Stereo) | - | Deutsche Grammophon |
Leave a Reply