The title of Beethoven’s song “Neue Liebe, Neues Leben” means “New Love, New Life.” It’s one of a score of songs Beethoven set to poems by Goethe. The poem complains about losing diligence and inner peace, and blames it on becoming “ensnared with ineffable force By blossoming youth, By this charming figure… I must now live after her fashion In her enchanted circle. How enormous, alas, is the change! Love! Love, let go of me!” In real life, Goethe was romantically involved with a young banker’s daughter, Lili Schönemann.
#Beethoven250 Day 113
“Neue Liebe, Neues Leben” (WoO 127), 1798–99
No live performance is available on YouTube. This video is a studio recording by Peter Maus with score and verses.
In 1809, Beethoven revised his setting of Goethe’s “Neue Liebe, Neues Leben.” That new version was published in 1810 as part of a collection of songs constituting Opus 75.