Although better known for his symphonies, sonatas, quartets, and other instrumental forms, Beethoven was an important composer of songs during a key formative period of the genre. This collection features the vast majority of his songs — 71 of 90 — including such recital favorites as "Adelaide," "Wonne der Wehmuth," and "Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur," plus all the songs in the famous cycle, "An die ferne Geliebte" ("To the Distant Beloved"), which is regarded as the first true song cycle by a major composer.
This compilation includes new English prose translations for all song texts, in addition to a list of source poets, glossary, and other editorial apparatus. The songs and music are reproduced from the authoritative Breitkopf & Härtel editions.