World premiere: 29 January 1905, Vienna. conducted by the composer.
"I am lost to the world with which I used to waste so much time, It has heard nothing from me for so long that it may very well believe that I am dead! It is of no consequence to me whether it thinks me dead; I cannot deny it, for I really am dead to the world. I am dead to the world's tumult, and I rest in a quiet realm! I live alone in my heaven, in my love and in my song! "
~ Friedrich Rückert (1788-1866)
"I am lost to the world with which I used to waste so much time, It has heard nothing from me for so long that it may very well believe that I am dead! It is of no consequence to me whether it thinks me dead; I cannot deny it, for I really am dead to the world. I am dead to the world's tumult, and I rest in a quiet realm! I live alone in my heaven, in my love and in my song! "
~ Friedrich Rückert (1788-1866)