The Beethoven song “Opferlied” means “Sacrificial Hymn.” It is one of several songs that Beethoven set to poems by Friedrich von Matthisson, who later became one of Schubert’s favorite poets. An earlier Matthisson setting by Beethoven is “Adelaide” (Day 45).
Beethoven had originally sketched a setting of “Opferlied” in 1794–95 but didn’t finish it. This version dates from 1798. In 1824, Beethoven came back to the poem and composed a choral and orchestral setting published as Opus 121b.
The lyrics of “Opferlied” describe a young man’s initiation ceremony with vaguely Masonic overtones. It concludes with verses that allude to Enlightenment values: “Grant to me, in youth as in age, At your paternal hearth, O Zeus, Beauty allied with goodness!”
#Beethoven250 Day 112
“Opferlied” (WoO 126), 1798
No live performance seems to be available on YouTube. This video combines the score and German verses with a studio recording by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.