Composer’s note: The title for this work is taken from one of the late odes of Friedrich Hlderlin.

I would suggest that the poem and its translation appear in any program note.

Lebenslauf

Hoch auf strebte mein Geist, aber die Liebe zog

Schn ihn nieder; das Laid bugt ihn gewaltiger;

So durchlauf ich des Lebens

Bogen und kehre, woher ich kam.

–Friedrich Hlderlin (1770-1843)

Course of Life

High my spirit aspired, but love, in truth,

Pulled my spirit down, and grief pulled it down further

So the arc of my life

Returns me to where I came.

–Lewis Nielson (trans)