Background
Franz Xaver Gruber was born in Unterweizburg, Austria, on November 5, 1787, the son of a poor linen weaver.
Franz Xaver Gruber was born in Unterweizburg, Austria, on November 5, 1787, the son of a poor linen weaver.
The Hochburger schoolteacher Andreas Peterlechner gave him music lessons. Franz Xaver Gruber completed his music education studying with the church organist of Burghausen, Georg Hartdobler.
Gruber worked as a weaver until the age of 18. In 1807 Gruber became schoolteacher in Arnsdorf. He also became the church caretaker and organist. In 1829 Gruber moved to Berndorf, and in later years to Hallein, Salzburg, where he was named choir director, singer and organist.
In 1816 he took on the additional responsibilities of organist and choirmaster at St Nicholas Church in the neighboring village of Oberndorf bei Salzburg. Together with Joseph Mohr, a Catholic priest who wrote the original German lyrics, Gruber composed the music for the Christmas carol Silent Night.
Franz Xaver Gruber is best known for composing the music to Stille Nacht (Silent Night).
Silent Night
Franz Xaver Gruber was married to Maria Elisabeth Fischinger Engelsberger. They had two children, both of whom died young.
After the Maria's death in 1825, Gruber married to his former student, Maria Breitfuss. Together they had ten children , four of whom survived to adulthood.
