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The First Silent Night

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Catalogue Number:  041811
Producer:  PBS Video
Subject:  Biography, Documentary, History, Holidays, Music, Travel, World History
Language:  English
Grade Level:  9 - 12, Post Secondary
Country Of Origin:  United States
Copyright Year:  2015
Running Time:  60
Closed Captions:  Yes


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Join renowned actor Simon Callow as he uncovers the moving origins of the song Silent Night that has been two hundred years in the making. A story that begins in humble circumstances, ends with the world's most popular carol. Simon journeys to the Austrian village of Oberndorf as well as the city of Salzburg, where the story of the world's favourite carol had its origins. The First Silent Night introduces us to two impoverished children - Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber - who grew up in Austria's cobbled streets and wooded villages. The hard years that shaped them would also destine them to meet one day in a poor country church to unite Gruber's music and Mohr's text into this classic carol about the birth of a third poor boy on a quiet night in ancient Palestine. Silent Night would speak a message of hope to their country, recovering from the harsh Napoleonic wars that had devastated their cities and villages. The guns would fall silent at last, replaced by the gentle strains of music. 

Over 45 Minutes of Bonus Video including... 
Classical Destinations: Salzburg 
Silent Night music videos 
Welcome To Salzburg 
Stage of the World 
Christmas Markets 


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