Friedrich Silcher as academic music director in Tübingen (from 1818 on) devoted himself to folk songs with his four-voice arrangements for male and mixed choirs. His own choral songs in Swabian style, from "Ännchen von Tharau" to "Muß i denn, muß i denn," were popular with countless glee clubs in Germany. Critics have poked fun at "Silcherei", confusing his sentimental simplicity with the kitsch of his imitators.