Beethoven’s song “Der Jüngling in der Fremde” (“The Young Man Far from Home”) is a setting of a poem by Christian Ludwig Reissig, but Beethoven originally wrote the music to accompany the Reissig poem “Lied aus der Ferne” (Day 227).
The six verses of “Der Jüngling in der Fremde” are set in strophic form. The poet laments how the beauties of nature mean nothing to his ailing heart. All day long he tries but finally realizes that his torturous yearning is for “the girl from home who has enslaved your heart.”
#Beethoven250 Day 228
“Der Jüngling in der Fremde” (WoO 138), 1809
No live performance is available on YouTube. An animated score accompanies a studio recording by Peter Schreier.