SKU: A0.594127

Silent Night is a much-loved Christmas carol. This version is arranged as a duet in a Gospel style for two Violas. Click on the YouTube link above to listen to a full length performance of this arrangement played on Clarinet.

The melody of Silent Night was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in 1918, a setting for the lyrics of a young priest, Joseph Mohr. After flooding had damaged the church organ in Oberdorf, Austria, Mohr asked local schoolmaster, Gruber, to write a Christmas melody to be accompanied by guitar. Silent Night was the result. The carol remained unpublished until 1833, but has since gained huge international popularity. Bing Crosby’s version sold more than 10 million copies and UNESCO has declared the carol an intangible cultural heritage

With a performance time of around two and a half minutes, this version of Silent Night is perfect for seasonal celebrations and concert performances, both formal and informal. The gospel style is a fun, fresh and soulful take on this familiar tune.

Silent Night is arranged in a key and range best suited to the instruments. The 9/8 meter may be feel unusual to some, and there is plenty of articulation detail to help deliver an authentic style. The melody is played twice, with a short intro and a bluesy outdo. This arrangement is suitable for players at an intermediate level.