Composed in the year before his passing, the Four Last Songs are held by many to be Richard Strauss’ most beautiful, sensuous, and moving composition.

They are songs of farewell and of gentle heartbreak.

The words of the final song, Im Abendrot, speak of an elderly couple walking hand in hand, at rest from their wanderings, away from life. The final verse:

O weiter, stiller Friede!
So tief im Abendrot
Wie sind wir wandermüde-
Ist dies etwa der Tod?

O vast and silent peace!
So deep in sunset glow,
How weary we are with wandering-
Could this perhaps be death?

For this special premiere performance, Salina Fisher has arranged the Four Last Songs for NZTrio and celebrated Australian soprano Emma Pearson.