Franz Xaver Engelhart (1861 - 1924) was a German
Catholic priest, church musician, choir director and,
composer. He first attended elementary school in
Geiselhoering, and later from 1872 to 1882, the old
high school in Regensburg. From 1882 to 1887, he
studied at the Lyceum (the later philosophical and
theological college) in Regensburg theology.
From 1891 until his death in 1924, he served as
Director of Music at the Regensburg Cathedral The
Regensburg Cathedral Choir , with whom he fo...(+)
Franz Xaver Engelhart (1861 - 1924) was a German
Catholic priest, church musician, choir director and,
composer. He first attended elementary school in
Geiselhoering, and later from 1872 to 1882, the old
high school in Regensburg. From 1882 to 1887, he
studied at the Lyceum (the later philosophical and
theological college) in Regensburg theology.
From 1891 until his death in 1924, he served as
Director of Music at the Regensburg Cathedral The
Regensburg Cathedral Choir , with whom he formed the
first major concert tour to Prague took. From 1903 on,
he was also the diocesan Church President General
Cecilia Association of the Diocese of Regensburg.
Although he composed 102 sacred works, few are ever
heard. In his time, they were believed to be too
sentimental. However, many of his songs in the 1930s to
the 1950s became folk songs. "Die Marienlieder Hell
leuchtet ein Sternlein", "Wenn ich ein Glöcklein
wär", and "Maria Rosenkranzkönigin" were sung in that
time. His secular compositions were characterized by a
fine sense of humor. Especially his steam-rolling song
was very popular back then. Among the best known
Engelhart compositions are "Wenn ich ein Glöcklein
wär" or "Das Ave-Maria-Glöcklein".
Although "2 Weihnachtslieder" (2 Christmas Songs") was
originally an accompanied choral work (SATB), I created
this arrangement of both the No. 1 "Die Hirten bei der
Krippe" (“The shepherds at the manger”) and No. 2
"Sei willkommen" ("You're Welcome”) songs for String
Quartet (2 Violins, Viola & Cello).
