Rudolf Herzer
From Marchdb.net
November 11, 1878 - October 20, 1914
German composer and musician.
Rudolf Herzer, the sixth child born to the family of shoemaker Frederick Herzer, was born on November 11, 1878, in Rottleben, a small village in southern Thuringen, Germany. His father later changed his occupation to postman, which was considered a good social position. Rudolf Herzer began a military career in the 96th Infantry Regiment, stationed in the small Thuringen city of Rodolstadt. He became a military bandsman and probably led the band of this regiment. Heidecksburg is a castle located in Rudolstadt.
In 1908, he attained the rank of sergeant. With changes in military orders regarding non-commissioned officers, he was made staff sergeant with "sword-knot". During maneuvers in 1912, he composed the march Hoch Heidecksburg (The Watch Tower). After discharge from military service, Herzer directed a cafe orchestra on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin. At that time, he was keeping company with a local girl named Maria Haberland, but they did not marry. With the outbreak of World War I, Herzer returned to military service and was sent to the eastern front with a Berlin regiment. He fatally wounded and died in a military hospital in Allenstein (today part of Poland) on October 20, 1914 and was buried in Berlin Garrison Cemetery, Millerstrasse 9.
Marches composed by Rudolf Herzer:
- Hoch Heidecksburg (1912) (op. 10) (also known as The Watchtower March, Aux Bords du Rhin and Hail Heidecksburg)
- Rudolfsklänge
- Mein letzter Gruss
