Ex. 2-4: Abschied

No. 1 from Lang's "6 Lieder" (Op. 13), published by Schott in 1847 and dedicated to the composer-conductor Franz Paul Lachner. Lang wrote at least three songs titled "Abschied" (Op. 10, 11, and 13).

The poem is by her husband Reinhold Köstlin (pen name Christian Reinhold). They met in 1840 and married in 1842. By setting his poetry, Lang channelled deeply personal emotion into her music.

Despite its title "Farewell," the song is not merely sorrowful. "The sun sinks into the sea, but the sky does not release its light. You are gone, but your light will never leave the sky of my soul." It is a quiet declaration of love that endures beyond absence.