Beethoven’s song “Der Liebende” (“The Lover”) is based on a three stanza poem by Christian Ludwig Reissig that was clearly inspired by both the subject matter and form of Goethe’s “Neue Liebe, neues Leben” (Day 220), and even borrows a couple phrases!
“Der Liebende” begins:
What a wonderful life!
A blend of pain and pleasure,
What a new, quivering emotion
Has taken control of my heart
and ends
For my heart pounds fiercely,
Drawing me eternally to her,
But, alas, she does not feel
What my heart speaks through my eyes.”
#Beethoven250 Day 229
“Der Liebende” (WoO 139), 1809
The late Peter Schreier in a live performance.
Despite the derivative nature of its text, Paul Reid finds in the song
a new lyrical fluency of expression…. Der Liebende is a true love song, in which Beethoven achieves the effect of a spontaneous outpouring of emotion. (Beethoven Song Companion, p. 115)