Composed by Bach, Martin Luther. Arranged by Ander. Baroque, Easter, Renaissance, Sacred, Wedding. 51 pages. Woods Only Music #6748251. Published by Woods Only Music

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quintet Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.957297 Composed by Bach, Martin Luther. Arranged by Ander. Baroque,Easter,Renaissance,Sacred,Wedding. 51 pages. Woods Only, Arrangements #6748253. Published by Woods Only, Arrangements (A0.957297). This album contains 5 of Johann Sebastian Bach's most famous and versatile pieces for saxophone choir quintet, all very well suited for the beginners who want to get to know the baroque repertoire. They are also suitable for performances at events such as: weddings, Christian and church ceremonies, Easter, and academic recitals or concerts. They can be used in music institutions and by teachers as repertoire material and study methods, either for performance or instrumental technique. This collection includes a totally free bonus for you to enjoy: Martin Luther's A Mighty Fortress is Our God, a Renaissance sacred song for choir, which has been adapted for this set. You can also buy each one individually by checking right at the end of each description of each work.1: Air on the G String - The original piece is part of Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite No. 3 for orchestra, in D Major, BWV 1068, written for Prince Leopold of Anhalt. The so-called Air on the G String dates from one of these latter employments. In the service of the Prince of Cöthen, Bach composed not only the famous Brandenburg Concertos, but also several orchestral suites, from the third of which comes the Air on the G String. This curious title derives from a later arrangement of this piece for violin solo, in which the melody is played entirely on the lower, higher string of the instrument. ID: S0.11897852: Arioso - The Cantata 156 (BWV 156) was written for the third Sunday after Epiphany in 1729, and was first performed on January 23 of that year. The text is by Picander, one of Bach's favorite librettists. Of the four cantatas written by Bach for the feast, it was the last and only one scored for solo voice. This is a choral cantata, employing a choral melody in several movements. Cantata 156, in fact, employs two different choral melodies and texts in the second and sixth movements. A cantata is a sung symphony consisting of several parts, one of which is the Arioso, which is the initial instrumental part. ID: S0.11899873: Jesu, joy of man's desiring - This is one of Bach's most beautiful cantatas, made famous by the Jesus the Joy of Men chorus. It was originally composed for Advent 1716 in Weimar. Years later, already in Leipzig, Advent was tempus clausum, there was no music in the churches. Bach then reworked it for the Feast of Mary's Visitation. It is the final chorale of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben. Although it is the 32nd cantata composed by Bach, of those that have survived, it was given BWV 147 in the complete catalog of his works. ID: S0.11900434: O Jesulein süss, o Jesulein mild - The Jesulein süß, the Jesulein mild is an original traditional German choral melody for voice and continuous bass arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach around 1735. With lyrics by Valentin Thilo, O Jesulein süss is a sacred melody adapted and catalogued as BWV 493. The first translation is by Dirk van Hogendorp, who made it more of a song for the time of suffering. ID: S0.11901835: Minuet in G major - This famous piece has traditionally been attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, as it appears in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena , a notebook that Bach gave to his wife Anna Magdalena in 1725 and which was to be filled with the favorite selections of Bach family members. However, recent research has concluded that this minuet, sometimes referred to as BWV Anhang 114. was probably composed by Christian Petzold, a German composer and organist contemporary with Bach. ID: S0.1190379Bonuses: A Mighty Fortress is Our God, by Martin Luther - Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott is a hymn written by Martin Luther probably before 1529. The melody was also considered his work for a long time, but it was created at least with the collaboration of Johann Walter. The song is of great symbolic power for Protest.

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quintet Baritone Saxophone - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.957296 Composed by Bach, Martin Luther. Arranged by Ander. Baroque,Easter,Renaissance,Sacred,Wedding. 51 pages. Woods Only, Arrangements #6748249. Published by Woods Only, Arrangements (A0.957296). This album contains 5 of Johann Sebastian Bach's most famous and versatile pieces for baritone sax quintet, all very well suited for the beginners who want to get to know the baroque repertoire. They are also suitable for performances at events such as: weddings, Christian and church ceremonies, Easter, and academic recitals or concerts. They can be used in music institutions and by teachers as repertoire material and study methods, either for performance or instrumental technique. This collection includes a totally free bonus for you to enjoy: Martin Luther's A Mighty Fortress is Our God, a Renaissance sacred song for choir, which has been adapted for this set. You can also buy each one individually by checking right at the end of each description of each work.1: Air on the G String - The original piece is part of Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite No. 3 for orchestra, in D Major, BWV 1068, written for Prince Leopold of Anhalt. The so-called Air on the G String dates from one of these latter employments. In the service of the Prince of Cöthen, Bach composed not only the famous Brandenburg Concertos, but also several orchestral suites, from the third of which comes the Air on the G String. This curious title derives from a later arrangement of this piece for violin solo, in which the melody is played entirely on the lower, higher string of the instrument. ID: S0.11897772: Arioso - The Cantata 156 (BWV 156) was written for the third Sunday after Epiphany in 1729, and was first performed on January 23 of that year. The text is by Picander, one of Bach's favorite librettists. Of the four cantatas written by Bach for the feast, it was the last and only one scored for solo voice. This is a choral cantata, employing a choral melody in several movements. Cantata 156, in fact, employs two different choral melodies and texts in the second and sixth movements. A cantata is a sung symphony consisting of several parts, one of which is the Arioso, which is the initial instrumental part. ID: S0.11899833: Jesu, joy of man's desiring - This is one of Bach's most beautiful cantatas, made famous by the Jesus the Joy of Men chorus. It was originally composed for Advent 1716 in Weimar. Years later, already in Leipzig, Advent was tempus clausum, there was no music in the churches. Bach then reworked it for the Feast of Mary's Visitation. It is the final chorale of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben. Although it is the 32nd cantata composed by Bach, of those that have survived, it was given BWV 147 in the complete catalog of his works. ID: S0.11900374: O Jesulein süss, o Jesulein mild - The Jesulein süß, the Jesulein mild is an original traditional German choral melody for voice and continuous bass arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach around 1735. With lyrics by Valentin Thilo, O Jesulein süss is a sacred melody adapted and catalogued as BWV 493. The first translation is by Dirk van Hogendorp, who made it more of a song for the time of suffering. ID: S0.11901695: Minuet in G major - This famous piece has traditionally been attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, as it appears in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena , a notebook that Bach gave to his wife Anna Magdalena in 1725 and which was to be filled with the favorite selections of Bach family members. However, recent research has concluded that this minuet, sometimes referred to as BWV Anhang 114. was probably composed by Christian Petzold, a German composer and organist contemporary with Bach. ID: S0.1190375Bonuses: A Mighty Fortress is Our God, by Martin Luther - Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott is a hymn written by Martin Luther probably before 1529. The melody was also considered his work for a long time, but it was created at least with the collaboration of Johann Walter. The song is of great symbolic power for Protestant.

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quintet Soprano Saxophone - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.957293 Composed by Bach, Martin Luther. Arranged by Ander. Baroque,Easter,Renaissance,Sacred,Wedding. 51 pages. Woods Only, Arrangements #6748243. Published by Woods Only, Arrangements (A0.957293). This album contains 5 of Johann Sebastian Bach's most famous and versatile pieces for soprano sax quintet, all very well suited for the beginners who want to get to know the baroque repertoire. They are also suitable for performances at events such as: weddings, Christian and church ceremonies, Easter, and academic recitals or concerts. They can be used in music institutions and by teachers as repertoire material and study methods, either for performance or instrumental technique. This collection includes a totally free bonus for you to enjoy: Martin Luther's A Mighty Fortress is Our God, a Renaissance sacred song for choir, which has been adapted for this set. You can also buy each one individually by checking right at the end of each description of each work.1: Air on the G String - The original piece is part of Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite No. 3 for orchestra, in D Major, BWV 1068, written for Prince Leopold of Anhalt. The so-called Air on the G String dates from one of these latter employments. In the service of the Prince of Cöthen, Bach composed not only the famous Brandenburg Concertos, but also several orchestral suites, from the third of which comes the Air on the G String. This curious title derives from a later arrangement of this piece for violin solo, in which the melody is played entirely on the lower, higher string of the instrument. ID: S0.11897592: Arioso - The Cantata 156 (BWV 156) was written for the third Sunday after Epiphany in 1729, and was first performed on January 23 of that year. The text is by Picander, one of Bach's favorite librettists. Of the four cantatas written by Bach for the feast, it was the last and only one scored for solo voice. This is a choral cantata, employing a choral melody in several movements. Cantata 156, in fact, employs two different choral melodies and texts in the second and sixth movements. A cantata is a sung symphony consisting of several parts, one of which is the Arioso, which is the initial instrumental part. ID: S0.11899773: Jesu, joy of man's desiring - This is one of Bach's most beautiful cantatas, made famous by the Jesus the Joy of Men chorus. It was originally composed for Advent 1716 in Weimar. Years later, already in Leipzig, Advent was tempus clausum, there was no music in the churches. Bach then reworked it for the Feast of Mary's Visitation. It is the final chorale of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben. Although it is the 32nd cantata composed by Bach, of those that have survived, it was given BWV 147 in the complete catalog of his works. ID: S0.11900274: O Jesulein süss, o Jesulein mild - The Jesulein süß, the Jesulein mild is an original traditional German choral melody for voice and continuous bass arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach around 1735. With lyrics by Valentin Thilo, O Jesulein süss is a sacred melody adapted and catalogued as BWV 493. The first translation is by Dirk van Hogendorp, who made it more of a song for the time of suffering. ID: S0.11901555: Minuet in G major - This famous piece has traditionally been attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, as it appears in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena , a notebook that Bach gave to his wife Anna Magdalena in 1725 and which was to be filled with the favorite selections of Bach family members. However, recent research has concluded that this minuet, sometimes referred to as BWV Anhang 114. was probably composed by Christian Petzold, a German composer and organist contemporary with Bach. ID: S0.1190369Bonuses: A Mighty Fortress is Our God, by Martin Luther - Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott is a hymn written by Martin Luther probably before 1529. The melody was also considered his work for a long time, but it was created at least with the collaboration of Johann Walter. The song is of great symbolic power for Protestanti.

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quintet Alto Saxophone - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.957294 Composed by Bach, Martin Luther. Arranged by Ander. Baroque,Easter,Renaissance,Sacred,Wedding. 51 pages. Woods Only, Arrangements #6748245. Published by Woods Only, Arrangements (A0.957294). This album contains 5 of Johann Sebastian Bach's most famous and versatile pieces for alto sax quintet, all very well suited for the beginners who want to get to know the baroque repertoire. They are also suitable for performances at events such as: weddings, Christian and church ceremonies, Easter, and academic recitals or concerts. They can be used in music institutions and by teachers as repertoire material and study methods, either for performance or instrumental technique. This collection includes a totally free bonus for you to enjoy: Martin Luther's A Mighty Fortress is Our God, a Renaissance sacred song for choir, which has been adapted for this set. You can also buy each one individually by checking right at the end of each description of each work.1: Air on the G String - The original piece is part of Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite No. 3 for orchestra, in D Major, BWV 1068, written for Prince Leopold of Anhalt. The so-called Air on the G String dates from one of these latter employments. In the service of the Prince of Cöthen, Bach composed not only the famous Brandenburg Concertos, but also several orchestral suites, from the third of which comes the Air on the G String. This curious title derives from a later arrangement of this piece for violin solo, in which the melody is played entirely on the lower, higher string of the instrument. ID: S0.11897632: Arioso - The Cantata 156 (BWV 156) was written for the third Sunday after Epiphany in 1729, and was first performed on January 23 of that year. The text is by Picander, one of Bach's favorite librettists. Of the four cantatas written by Bach for the feast, it was the last and only one scored for solo voice. This is a choral cantata, employing a choral melody in several movements. Cantata 156, in fact, employs two different choral melodies and texts in the second and sixth movements. A cantata is a sung symphony consisting of several parts, one of which is the Arioso, which is the initial instrumental part. ID: S0.11899793: Jesu, joy of man's desiring - This is one of Bach's most beautiful cantatas, made famous by the Jesus the Joy of Men chorus. It was originally composed for Advent 1716 in Weimar. Years later, already in Leipzig, Advent was tempus clausum, there was no music in the churches. Bach then reworked it for the Feast of Mary's Visitation. It is the final chorale of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben. Although it is the 32nd cantata composed by Bach, of those that have survived, it was given BWV 147 in the complete catalog of his works. ID: S0.11900294: O Jesulein süss, o Jesulein mild - The Jesulein süß, the Jesulein mild is an original traditional German choral melody for voice and continuous bass arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach around 1735. With lyrics by Valentin Thilo, O Jesulein süss is a sacred melody adapted and catalogued as BWV 493. The first translation is by Dirk van Hogendorp, who made it more of a song for the time of suffering. ID: S0.11901615: Minuet in G major - This famous piece has traditionally been attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, as it appears in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena , a notebook that Bach gave to his wife Anna Magdalena in 1725 and which was to be filled with the favorite selections of Bach family members. However, recent research has concluded that this minuet, sometimes referred to as BWV Anhang 114. was probably composed by Christian Petzold, a German composer and organist contemporary with Bach. ID: S0.1190371Bonuses: A Mighty Fortress is Our God, by Martin Luther - Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott is a hymn written by Martin Luther probably before 1529. The melody was also considered his work for a long time, but it was created at least with the collaboration of Johann Walter. The song is of great symbolic power for Protestantism;.

Saxophone Quintet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.813971 Composed by Franz Xaver Gruber. Arranged by Regis Bookshar. Instructional,Multicultural,World. 7 pages. Regis Bookshar #6635861. Published by Regis Bookshar (A0.813971). Saxophone Quintet - Intermediate - Digital Download. This arrangement of Silent Night, or in German, Stille Nacht, would be a wonderful addition to any music library and could be performed for Christmas concerts, recitals, and, especially, church services. It is equally suitable for junior and senior high school students and even older musicians. Depending on their ability, younger musicians would also enjoy playing this selection. Included are a score and a complete set of parts (7 pages). This selection is one of the many arrangements from The Regis Bookshar Trumpet Ensemble's extensive music library which are being made available for the first time.Silent Night is probably the most popular Christmas carol ever written. It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr and was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a small village in present-day Austria. A young Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had written the poem, Stille Nacht, in 1816 and had gone to Oberndorf in 1817. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. On Christmas Eve, 1818, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for that night's mass, after river flooding had possibly damaged the church organ. The church was eventually destroyed by repeated flooding and has since been replaced with the Silent-Night-Chapel.According to Gruber, Karl Mauracher, an organ builder who serviced the instrument at the Oberndorf church, was enamored with the song, and took the composition home with him to the Ziller Valley in Tyrol, Austria. From there, two traveling families of folk singers, the Strassers and the Rainers, included the tune in their shows. The Rainers were already singing it around Christmas, 1819, and once performed it for an audience that included Franz I of Austria and Alexander I of Russia. They also gave the first performance of the song in the United States in New York City in 1839. By the 1840's, the song was well known and was reported to be a favorite of Frederick William IV of Prussia. During this period, the melody changed slightly to become the version that is commonly heard today. The version of the melody that is generally used today is a slow, meditative lullaby, or pastoral, differing slightly from Gruber's original which has a moderate tempo. The song has been translated into about 140 languages and has been recorded by many singers across many music genres. The version sung by Bing Crosby in 1935, has sold over 10 million copies as a single.In this arrangement of Silent Night, Regis Bookshar has kept the basic form of this familiar Christmas carol, but has also included a descant during the third verse. Also, in addition to this version for a Saxophone Quintet, consisting of 2 Alto Saxophones and 3 Tenor Saxophones, there are other arrangements of Silent Night available for a variety of instrumental ensembles. There are Quintets and Octets readily available for purchase. Please take the time to look for other versions of this composition. You may find something else that might also suit your needs.I would also encourage you to search for other arrangements by Regis Bookshar, as well, as there are numerous arrangements in a wide variety of styles, also available for purchase. You may find something else which might interest you. Please continue to check periodically because new arrangements are being added as often as possible. I'm certain that this wonderful arrangement of Silent Night will continue to entertain both performers and audiences alike for years to come.

Saxophone Quintet,Woodwind Ensemble Tenor Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.813973 Composed by Franz Xaver Gruber. Arranged by Regis Bookshar. Christmas,Instructional,Multicultural,World. 7 pages. Regis Bookshar #6635871. Published by Regis Bookshar (A0.813973). Tenor Saxophone Quintet - Intermediate - Digital Download. This arrangement of Silent Night, or in German, Stille Nacht, would be a wonderful addition to any music library and could be performed for Christmas concerts, recitals, and, especially, church services. It is equally suitable for junior and senior high school students and even older musicians. Depending on their ability, younger musicians would also enjoy playing this selection. Included are a score and a complete set of parts (7 pages). This selection is one of the many arrangements from The Regis Bookshar Trumpet Ensemble's extensive music library which are being made available for the first time.Silent Night is probably the most popular Christmas carol ever written. It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr and was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a small village in present-day Austria. A young Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had written the poem, Stille Nacht, in 1816 and had gone to Oberndorf in 1817. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. On Christmas Eve, 1818, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for that night's mass, after river flooding had possibly damaged the church organ. The church was eventually destroyed by repeated flooding and has since been replaced with the Silent-Night-Chapel.According to Gruber, Karl Mauracher, an organ builder who serviced the instrument at the Oberndorf church, was enamored with the song, and took the composition home with him to the Ziller Valley in Tyrol, Austria. From there, two traveling families of folk singers, the Strassers and the Rainers, included the tune in their shows. The Rainers were already singing it around Christmas, 1819, and once performed it for an audience that included Franz I of Austria and Alexander I of Russia. They also gave the first performance of the song in the United States in New York City in 1839. By the 1840's, the song was well known and was reported to be a favorite of Frederick William IV of Prussia. During this period, the melody changed slightly to become the version that is commonly heard today. The version of the melody that is generally used today is a slow, meditative lullaby, or pastoral, differing slightly from Gruber's original which has a moderate tempo. The song has been translated into about 140 languages and has been recorded by many singers across many music genres. The version sung by Bing Crosby in 1935, has sold over 10 million copies as a single.In this arrangement of Silent Night, Regis Bookshar has kept the basic form of this familiar Christmas carol, but has also included a descant during the third verse. Also, in addition to this version for a Tenor Saxophone Quintet, there are other arrangements of Silent Night available for a variety of instrumental ensembles. There are Quintets and Octets readily available for purchase. Please take the time to look for other versions of this composition. You may find something else that might also suit your needs.I would also encourage you to search for other arrangements by Regis Bookshar, as well, as there are numerous arrangements in a wide variety of styles, also available for purchase. You may find something else which might interest you. Please continue to check periodically because new arrangements are being added as often as possible. I'm certain that this wonderful arrangement of Silent Night will continue to entertain both performers and audiences alike for years to come.

Saxophone Quintet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.813959 Composed by Franz Xaver Gruber. Arranged by Regis Bookshar. Christmas,Instructional,Multicultural,World. 7 pages. Regis Bookshar #6632957. Published by Regis Bookshar (A0.813959). Alto Saxophone Quintet - Intermediate - Digital Download. This arrangement of Silent Night, or in German, Stille Nacht, would be a wonderful addition to any music library and could be performed for Christmas concerts, recitals, and, especially, church services. It is equally suitable for junior and senior high school students and even older musicians. Depending on their ability, younger musicians would also enjoy playing this selection. Included are a score and a complete set of parts (7 pages). This selection is one of the many arrangements from The Regis Bookshar Trumpet Ensemble's extensive music library which are being made available for the first time.Silent Night is probably the most popular Christmas carol ever written. It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr and was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a small village in present-day Austria. A young Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had written the poem, Stille Nacht, in 1816 and had gone to Oberndorf in 1817. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. On Christmas Eve, 1818, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for that night's mass, after river flooding had possibly damaged the church organ. The church was eventually destroyed by repeated flooding and has since been replaced with the Silent-Night-Chapel.According to Gruber, Karl Mauracher, an organ builder who serviced the instrument at the Oberndorf church, was enamored with the song, and took the composition home with him to the Ziller Valley in Tyrol, Austria. From there, two traveling families of folk singers, the Strassers and the Rainers, included the tune in their shows. The Rainers were already singing it around Christmas, 1819, and once performed it for an audience that included Franz I of Austria and Alexander I of Russia. They also gave the first performance of the song in the United States in New York City in 1839. By the 1840's, the song was well known and was reported to be a favorite of Frederick William IV of Prussia. During this period, the melody changed slightly to become the version that is commonly heard today. The version of the melody that is generally used today is a slow, meditative lullaby, or pastoral, differing slightly from Gruber's original which has a moderate tempo. The song has been translated into about 140 languages and has been recorded by many singers across many music genres. The version sung by Bing Crosby in 1935, has sold over 10 million copies as a single.In this arrangement of Silent Night, Regis Bookshar has kept the basic form of this familiar Christmas carol, but has also included a descant during the third verse. Also, in addition to this version for an Alto Saxophone Quintet, there are other arrangements of Silent Night available for a variety of instrumental ensembles. There are Quintets and Octets readily available for purchase. Please take the time to look for other versions of this composition. You may find something else that might also suit your needs.I would also encourage you to search for other arrangements by Regis Bookshar, as well, as there are numerous arrangements in a wide variety of styles, also available for purchase. You may find something else which might interest you. Please continue to check periodically because new arrangements are being added as often as possible. I'm certain that this wonderful arrangement of Silent Night will continue to entertain both performers and audiences alike for years to come.

Saxophone Quintet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.813969 Composed by Franz Xaver Gruber. Arranged by Regis Bookshar. Christmas,Instructional,Multicultural,World. 7 pages. Regis Bookshar #6635859. Published by Regis Bookshar (A0.813969). Saxophone Quintet - Intermediate - Digital Download. This arrangement of Silent Night, or in German, Stille Nacht, would be a wonderful addition to any music library and could be performed for Christmas concerts, recitals, and, especially, church services. It is equally suitable for junior and senior high school students and even older musicians. Depending on their ability, younger musicians would also enjoy playing this selection. Included are a score and a complete set of parts (7 pages). This selection is one of the many arrangements from The Regis Bookshar Trumpet Ensemble's extensive music library which are being made available for the first time.Silent Night is probably the most popular Christmas carol ever written. It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr and was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a small village in present-day Austria. A young Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had written the poem, Stille Nacht, in 1816 and had gone to Oberndorf in 1817. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. On Christmas Eve, 1818, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for that night's mass, after river flooding had possibly damaged the church organ. The church was eventually destroyed by repeated flooding and has since been replaced with the Silent-Night-Chapel.According to Gruber, Karl Mauracher, an organ builder who serviced the instrument at the Oberndorf church, was enamored with the song, and took the composition home with him to the Ziller Valley in Tyrol, Austria. From there, two traveling families of folk singers, the Strassers and the Rainers, included the tune in their shows. The Rainers were already singing it around Christmas, 1819, and once performed it for an audience that included Franz I of Austria and Alexander I of Russia. They also gave the first performance of the song in the United States in New York City in 1839. By the 1840's, the song was well known and was reported to be a favorite of Frederick William IV of Prussia. During this period, the melody changed slightly to become the version that is commonly heard today. The version of the melody that is generally used today is a slow, meditative lullaby, or pastoral, differing slightly from Gruber's original which has a moderate tempo. The song has been translated into about 140 languages and has been recorded by many singers across many music genres. The version sung by Bing Crosby in 1935, has sold over 10 million copies as a single.In this arrangement of Silent Night, Regis Bookshar has kept the basic form of this familiar Christmas carol, but has also included a descant during the third verse. Also, in addition to this version for a Saxophone Quintet, consisting of 2 Alto Saxophones, 2 Tenor Saxophones and 1 Baritone Saxophone, there are other arrangements of Silent Night available for a variety of instrumental ensembles. There are Quintets and Octets readily available for purchase. Please take the time to look for other versions of this composition. You may find something else that might also suit your needs.I would also encourage you to search for other arrangements by Regis Bookshar, as well, as there are numerous arrangements in a wide variety of styles, also available for purchase. You may find something else which might interest you. Please continue to check periodically because new arrangements are being added as often as possible. I'm certain that this wonderful arrangement of Silent Night will continue to entertain both performers and audiences alike for years to come.