Pruefung Des Kuessens, WoO 89 (Concert Aria) [Alf:36-A802901]

Written in the early years of Ludwig van Beethoven's (1770-1827) career, Die Prĵfung des Kĵssens is a setting of jurist and poet-lyricist Klamer Eberhard Karl Schmidt's Meine weise Mutter spricht. Composed sometime between 1790 — 1792 for solo bass voice and ensemble, it may have been written with German actor and operatic bass Joseph Lux in mind, as the two were members of a group traveling together to Mergentheim, Germany in September and October of 1791. The text wittily discusses the contradictions of a wise mother's advice on kissing ("Kissing, kissing, child is a sin!") and the son's contrary views ("Well, I poor sinner, think it cannot be laid aside.") Instrumentation: 1.2.0.0: 2.0.0.0: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Solo Bass (available separately).