Beethoven composed his Elegischer Gesang (“Elegiac Hymn,” Opus 118) in the summer of 1814 for Baron Johann von Pasqualati, in whose Vienna house Beethoven had often lived. Pasqualati inherited the house from his father, who was personal physician to Empress Maria Theresa.
The occasion for the Elegischer Gesang was the 3rd anniversary of the death of Pasqualati’s wife Eleanor, who had died in childbirth on 5 August 1811 at age 24. Beethoven inscribed the score “To the memory of the transfigured [verklärte] wife of my honored friend, Pasqualati.”
The Elegischer Gesang has a unique instrumentation among Beethoven’s works: It is written for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass singers with string quartet accompaniment. It is usually performed with a mixed chorus, however, and often with a larger string ensemble or orchestra.
The Elegischer Gesang text is “Sanft, wie du lebtest, hast du vollendet, zu heilig für den Schmerz! Kein Auge wein' ob des himmlischen Geistes Heimkehr,” or “Gently as you lived, so have you died: too holy for pain! Let no eye weep for the homecoming of this heavenly spirit.”
With the slow stately canon-like opening, the Elegischer Gesang sounds at first almost like a slow movement of one of Beethoven’s late string quartets. It achieves a moving and serene time-stopping statis, both mournful and consoling, perfectly suited for the occasion.
Wikipedia tells us that the Elegischer Gesang “is one of Beethoven’s least known works and is not often performed or recorded.” Yet, YouTube hosts well over 20 live performances of this work — both by professional and amateur choruses and ensembles.
#Beethoven250 Day 271
Elegischer Gesang for Voices and String Quartet (Opus 118), 1814
The Vail String Quartet accompanies the University Choir of California State, Long Beach.
#Beethoven250 Day 271
Elegischer Gesang for Voices and String Quartet (Opus 118), 1814
A large chorus and string orchestra in Fiesole, Italy.
#Beethoven250 Day 271
Elegischer Gesang for Voices and String Quartet (Opus 118), 1814
This is the only live performance I’ve found which employs four solo singers. They are accompanied by piano rather than string quartet.