Gruber, Franz Xaver

1787-1863

Austrian primary school teacher, church organist and composer of the 19th century.

The son of a linen weaver, Gruber learned the violin in spite of his father's disagreement, and studied the organ with Georg Hartdobler.

He taught primary school in the village of Arnsdorf, Austria from 1807 to 1829.

In 1816, he became organist and choirmaster at St. Nicholas Church in the neighboring village of Oberndorf, near Salzburg.

In later years, he was headmaster in Berndorf from 1828 to 1832, and then he served as organist and choirmaster at Hallein, Salzburg from 1833 to 1863.

He is believed to have composed over 90 musical works, mainly carols and masses.

His most famous composition is without any doubts the celebrated Christmas carol Silent Night [Stille Nacht], over a six-stanza poem in German written in 1816 by Josef Mohr, a Catholic priest and assistant pastor of the St. Nicholas Church.