Karl Kromer

German composer (born March 23, 1865 in Mahlberg, Baden – died February 12, 1939 in Stuttgart, Württemberg) Originally a mail carrier by profession, Kromer studied voice at a conservatory in Frankfurt am Main, but in 1886 he had to drop out for financial reasons. After singing in choirs in Mannheim and Aachen, he became Leader of the Opera Choir at the State Theater in Stuttgart. Later, he toured Europe and the United States with two ensembles he headed, the Stuttgarter Hofsängerquartett and the Kromer-Sextett. Kromer composed many folk songs. He is best known for "Grüße An Die Heimat" (a.k.a. "Nach Der Heimat Komm' Ich Wieder", op. 46). Another one of his popular songs is "O Wär’ Mein Lieb Ein Brünnlein Kalt" (If Only My Love Was A Cold Fountain, op. 89).