Community Corner

The First 'Silent Night' Performance

Do you know about the history of this famous Christmas song?

Franz Gruber's "Silent Night"—or "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht" in German—was first performed at Midnight Mass in Oberndorf, Austria, on Christmas Eve night 1818.

Some speculate the organ that would normally accompany any musical performance at mass was broken, which prompted the church's pastor to accompany Gruber on another instrument.

What was the instrument?

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