CUMARKET
Artist
0
Composer
0
Genre
0
Mood
0
Reset Find

New! Essential Classics App

Available on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Josef Mohr
Joseph Mohr (1792–1848) was an Austrian Roman Catholic priest and writer best known for penning the lyrics to the Christmas carol "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht").
Key facts about his life:
Early life: Born out of wedlock in Salzburg, Austria, in 1792, Mohr and his family lived in poverty. A choirmaster at the Salzburg Cathedral recognized his talents in music and intelligence and helped him receive an education. He was ordained as a priest in 1815, though his illegitimate birth required special dispensation from the Pope.
Creation of "Silent Night": Mohr wrote the six-verse Christmas poem in 1816 while stationed as an assistant priest in Mariapfarr, Austria. Two years later, in 1818, he brought the poem to Franz Xaver Gruber, a schoolteacher and organist in Oberndorf, asking him to compose a melody for it.
First performance: "Silent Night" was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at the St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf. Mohr played the guitar and sang the tenor part, while Gruber sang bass. The original composition was intended to be accompanied by a guitar due to the church's organ being out of commission.
Social work: As a priest, Mohr was known for his dedication to the poor and needy. During his final years as a vicar in Wagrain, he led initiatives to build a school for impoverished children and established a fund to help pay their school fees.
Death and legacy: Mohr died of a lung infection in Wagrain on December 4, 1848. He died in relative poverty, leaving only his guitar behind as his sole possession. Today, his grave is in the Wagrain churchyard, and his legacy as the lyricist of the world-famous Christmas carol is honored with memorials in Oberndorf and Wagrain.
iTunes
Amazon
Cuview
Spotify
Deezer

Albums

Related/Similar/Recommended
Christmas Oratorium
BEAUX 2602
Harp Christmas Music
GRX 7011
Celtic Christmas
RC 9753
Merry Christmas! Vol.6 - Celtic Harp for Christmas
SC 2576
Classical Christmas Night
Xmas 251
A Classical Christmas Night
TMC 175
Silent Night – A Classical Christmas
HWH 017
Sleigh Ride - A Jazz Christmas
HDJ 4082
Christmas JAZZ
XMAS 134
The Modern Art of Christmas: A Jazzy Merry Christmas
XMAS 081
Green Christmas - The Jazz Christmas Collection
XMAS 085
Sleigh Ride - A Jazz Christmas
GRJ 4082
A Jazzy Christmas
MTF 196
Merry Christmas! Vol.3
SC 2573
A Jazz Christmas! Great Mood Music Vol. 1
XMAS 037
Xmas Inspiration: Christmas JAZZ Highlights
XMAS 183
Christmas Jazz
Xmas 275
The Greatest Holiday Classics
XMAS 063
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
HDN 5001
Merry Christmas! Vol.10
SC 2580
Santa Claus and Friends
SP 9841
Christmas Time Is Here Again
SP 9852
The Voices of Christmas! All Stars A Christmas Celebration Vol. 1
XMAS 020
A Christmas Present from Frank Sinatra
XMAS 043
I’ll Be Home For Christmas! Bing Crosby and his Friends
XMAS 052
A Christmas Piano Favorites
XMAS 058
Silent Christmas Lounge
XMAS 168
Piano Christmas
XMAS 136
Christmas Harp Music
MTF 183
Modern Art of Christmas - Piano Christmas
XMAS 089