Hochburg - Childhood and education

 

Franz Xaver Gruber was born on the 25th November 1787, at home, in Unterweizburg 9 ("Steinpointsölde") in the Innviertel municipality of Hochburg, (Upper Austria). "Conrad Xavier" were his given names in the baptismal register, but later revised to "Franz Xaver".  The house where he was born in Steinpointsölde no longer exists. The house subsequently built there has a memorial plaque.

As the fifth of Josef and Maria's six children, he was expected to learn the canvas weaving craft of his father. His love for music began at a very early age. The Hochburg school teacher, Andreas Peterlechner, encouraged this talent and gave him music lessons. Gruber was a weaver until he was 18 years old. He then took up the teaching profession, with the agreement of his father. Firstly, he perfected his musical training with the parish organist, Georg Hartdobler, in Burghausen. He acquired the basis of this school subject from Peterlechner and passed the necessary exams as elementary school teacher in 1806 in Ried im Innkreis. To gain valuable experience, Gruber worked as school assistant to Peterlechner.

Arnsdorf and Oberndorf

Teacher, Verger and Organist, "Silent Night!"

 

In 1807, after overcoming some bureaucratic difficulties, Gruber took up his position as teacher, verger and organist in Arnsdorf. The official decree of appointment is dated 12th November 1807. In July he had already married Maria Elizabeth Engelsberger (born Fischinger), the window of his predecessor. He had two children with her but they died at a very early age. In 1816 Gruber took over organisational duties in the new parish of Oberndorf. His following wish to become teacher and organist there was never fulfilled. Gruber's work as teacher, organist and verger moulded his everyday life. The attendance of children in school was mediocre as the farmers prefered to have their children working at home. In a school report, dated 1821, the school was said to be the best in the whole region, because of "amazing skill" in the children's answers. A highlight of his time in Arnsdorf occurred in 1818 when Gruber composed the music to the Christmas carol "Silent Night! Holy Night!" and performed it for the first time, together with Joseph Mohr, in the St. Nikolaus Church in Oberndorf. Gruber described the carol as a "simple composition" and it did not seem to him to be of any special importance.

 

Church and School, Arnsdorf (Parish of Lamprechtshausen)
Gruber's Place of Residence - 1807 to 1829

The highlight of his work in Arnsdorf was the 300 year jubilee celebration of the pilgrimage church, "Maria im Mösl" in 1820. The festivities lasted five days with 20.000 visitors. The abbey of the Michaelbeuern monastery, which controlled the church, and St. Peter, listened to the performance of the orchestra conducted by Gruber. Then everyday life returned. After his first wife died, he married a former school friend, Maria Breitfuß, in 1825. They lived together for 15 years and had ten children, with only four reaching adulthood. Whilst Gruber was not successful in being transferred to Oberndorf and because of disagreements with his employers, he left Arnsdorf and Oberndorf in 1829.

 

Berndorf (1829-1835)

Gruber became a teacher and verger in Berndorf in 1829. A new school with 130 compulsory students and a town council which valued good church music were waiting for him. His wish to make music his life's work and the genuine effort of the Hallein Dechants, to ensure him the position of new choir master in the parish church, resulted in him obtaining this position in 1833.

 

Hallein - Living for Music

His appointment as choir master, hymn specialist and organiser in the Hallein parish church followed in 1835. Hallein was then the second largest town in the county of Salzburg and had about 3.500 inhabitants. Gruber drove the development of the church choir forwards with enthusiasm. Singers and musicians had to be educated. During 1849 Gruber took over the management of the many parish foundations. Gruber's second wife died in 1841 whilst giving birth to their last child, who also died. We can take a look into his living conditions through his inheritance negotiations. The first floor apartment had a living room, a children's room, two kitchen rooms and an attic room. The items of furniture were simple Biedermeier pieces and rustic chests. Many objects, such as the flour chests, earthenware kitchen utensils, straw sacks and rough bed linen showed the farming background of his wife. In 1842 he married again for the third time, Katharina Wimmer, the cobler's widow and girlfriend to his second wife. 

During his lifetime Gruber also had an effect on musical events outside Hallein. He created an extensive musical work. His family supported his work - in 1847 his eldest son, Franz, grounded a singing association, the Halleiner Liedertafel, in1849. After reaching 60 years Gruber's enthusiasm slowly began to wane. He died of old age at 76, on the 6th June 1863.  His second son, Felix, followed in his footsteps as the choir master in Hallein.