Watch The First Silent Night

The First Silent Night is a one-hour long television program that originally aired on PBS in 2014. The show outlines the events that led up to the creation of one of the world's most beloved Christmas carols, Silent Night. The program combines historical background with dramatic re-enactments and musical performances.

The program takes us on a journey to the small town of Oberndorf in the Austrian Alps, where the hymn Silent Night was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818. It begins by introducing us to Joseph Mohr, the assistant priest of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, who wrote the lyrics to Silent Night. We also meet Franz Xaver Gruber, a local schoolteacher and church organist, who composed the melody for the hymn. The two men were brought together by circumstance and a shared love of music.

The show explores the historical context in which the hymn was created. The region was ravaged by war, and the Napoleonic Wars had left many people impoverished. The program highlights the importance of religion in people's lives during this time and how music was used as an expression of faith and hope.

Throughout the program, we see dramatizations of the daily lives of people living in Oberndorf in the early 19th century, including scenes of church services, school lessons, and work on farms. These vignettes help paint a picture of what life was like during the time in which the hymn was created.

The First Silent Night also features a number of musical performances. Modern-day choirs and singers perform various versions of Silent Night, which demonstrate how the hymn has evolved over the years. Some of the performances are filmed in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, where the hymn was first performed in 1818. The acoustics of the church create a rich, warm sound that enhances the beauty of the hymn.

Throughout the program, we learn about the cultural significance of Silent Night. We discover that it has been translated into over 300 languages and is one of the most widely performed hymns in the world. The program explores the various ways in which the hymn has been used over the years, from Christmas concerts to Christmas Eve services.

One of the most fascinating aspects of The First Silent Night is its exploration of the mysteries surrounding the origins of the hymn. For example, there are conflicting stories about how Joseph Mohr came to write the lyrics for Silent Night. Some versions suggest that he wrote them in response to the sound of the church organ breaking down on Christmas Eve, while others say that he wrote them months earlier. The program also explores the mystery of how the hymn spread throughout the world, and how it became so beloved by people of different cultures and faiths.

Overall, The First Silent Night is a captivating program that tells the story behind one of the world's most beloved Christmas carols. Through its mix of historical context, musical performances, and dramatic re-enactments, the program provides a rich and immersive experience that will delight anyone interested in the history of music and Christmas traditions.

The First Silent Night is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on December 23, 2013.