Product Description
Silent Night arranged for Tuba & Piano with new harmony for the final verse. Score: 2 pg. Part: 1 pg.
Silent Night
Origins
Father Joseph Mohr wrote the lyrics for a new Christmas Carol. He wanted the
new carol for his Christmas Eve Mass. With only a couple of hours until the
service, He asked organist and schoolteacher Franz Gruber to write a melody and
simple accompaniment to go with the lyrics. The result is probably the most famous
of all Christmas carols Silent Night.
First Performance
Perhaps because the organ was undergoing repairs, or to make sure the
accompaniment was easy enough, Mohr asked Gruber to write it for the guitar.
Mohr played the guitar, and both Mohr and Gruber gave the world premiere
performance at the Christmas Eve Mass in 1818 at St. Nicholas Church in
Oberndorf in Salzburg.
Original Score
Eventually, the original score became lost, and consequently, Mohr's
name was largely forgotten. Though the public originally recognized
Gruber as the composer, many people over time began rumors that a more famous
composer was responsible. Thus, they floated the names of Haydn, Mozart, and
even Beethoven. Authorities eventually settled the matter when a
manuscript in Mohrs handwriting turned up in 1820. Consequently, we learn that
Mohr wrote the lyrics in 1816, and Gruber composed the melody in 1818.
Popularity
Nonetheless, Silent Night is still very popular. Singers have performed this
song in nearly every genre and in multiple languages. Perhaps the most famous
version is the one Bing Crosby crafted. This version is the third best-selling
physical single recording in the history of recorded music. This particular
recording was released in 1935 and sold at least 30 million copies.
Only two songs have ever sold more. Elton John released "Candle in the Wind"
in 1997 and sold 33 million copies. The record for most copies ever sold goes
to Bing Crosby. He released "White Christmas" in 1942 and sold 50 million
physical copies.
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