Invitation to the unveiling ceremony of the commemorative plaque for Hermann Kirchner and Carl Martin Römer

Invitation to the Unveiling Ceremony

Dear Sir (Dear Madam),

We have the honor to invite you to participate in the unveiling ceremony of a commemorative plaque dedicated to the composer and choir master Hermann Kirchner and Carl Martin Römer, held by the Lutheran priest, which will take place on the date of:

October 7th of this year, at 9:30 in front of the guesthouse on Honterus Street No. 7.

Honoring Hermann Kirchner

The Evangelical Church Parish Office, the Democratic Forum of Germans, the Mediaș Native Association, and the Municipality of Mediaș honor Hermann Kirchner as a musician who began his journey in our lands in Mediaș, where he served as a choir master and composer between 1893 and 1900, continued in Sibiu (1900-1906), and ultimately became a Professor at the Conservatory in Bucharest. We consider this artist a precursor of the idea of a united Europe through art.

Musical Contributions

Arriving from Berlin to a small town in Transylvania, he dedicated his musical activity to both the Saxons and Romanians of Transylvania, conducting both Saxon and Romanian choirs in Sibiu and Bucharest. His music was inspired by the folklore of the Saxons from the Târnava Valley as well as the Romanian folklore from the Mărginimea Sibiului and the Bărăgan, thus contributing to a mutual understanding of the musical treasures of both peoples.

Collaboration with Carl Martin Römer

Together with Carl Martin Römer, who composed the lyrics of a poem about love, longing, and separation, originally titled in Saxon dialect *“Bäm Holderstroch,” and later adopted by Romanians under the title “Sub crengi de soc,” Kirchner created a song in the Saxon folk style that won the hearts of all listeners. This song quickly became part of the repertoire of Romanian popular music shortly after its first performance in Richiș*.

In the first decade of the 20th century, this song, along with other compositions by Hermann Kirchner, was a staple in the repertoire of both Saxon and Romanian choirs of the time.

Continuing the Initiative

We are pleased to continue through this event the initiative from 2012 by placing plaques for Adolf Haltrich and brothers Frederic and William Folberth, and we are delighted to welcome you to the small celebration, followed by a reception at the Evangelical Parish.

With great respect,

Gerhard Servatius

Alfred Gökeler

Werner Müller