An die ferne Geliebte (To the Distant Beloved), Op.98 for medium voice and piano; Ludwig van Beethoven

An die ferne Geliebte (To the Distant Beloved), Op.98 for medium voice and piano; Ludwig van Beethoven 

Urtext edition by Helga Luhning. Published by Henle

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was the most influential and admired composer of the Romantic Era, and is considered today to be among the greatest composers of classical music to ever live. His music is known variously for its compositional rigor, sublime beauty, organic development, gripping urgency, and life-affirming, universal humanism. He left a significant mark on almost every classical genre he worked in, from string quartets to symphonies.

Though Beethoven's reputation rests largely on his instrumental music, he wrote fine vocal works as well, foremost of them being the 1816 song cycle "An die ferne Geliebte" (To the Distant Beloved), Op.98. A reflection of his introspective late period, it is often connected to the mysterious "immortal beloved" he had identified in a letter years prior. Its frank and elegant expressions of love make it an enduring repertory item for vocalists today. This Henle urtext edition is arranged for medium voice and piano, and contains historical and critical commentary.