Named in memory of the German composer of popular songs Philipp Friedrich Silcher (1789–1860), musical director at the University of Tübingen {see planet  (1481)} from 1817. He was a famous music educator, promoter of music for the laity and founder of several choirs. Silcher published numerous collections of folk-songs and composed, transcribed and arranged music for male and mixed choirs. Among his best-known compositions, still very popular today, are Ännchen von Tharau, Ich weiss nicht, was soll es bedeuten and Alle Jahre wieder. (M 34632) _ _.