15. Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem: IV

As a society, we are not very good at aging or dying. Our culture teaches us to fight and fear all the way. Imagine if we still had rituals for the dead beyond a cursory service followed by cookies. Imagine if we tried to acknowledge death, make some peace with it, pausing for over an hour of music designed to help us set aside worldly cares and elevate our spirits with a vision not only for the dead, but for the living. A life-affirming acknowledgement of our heartbreak, fear and hope, a vision of beatific peace. Wie lieblich. How lovely.

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Johannes Brahms,"Ein deutsches Requiem: IV. Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen," 1865-68. Performed by Mariss Jansons conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Netherlands Radio Choir, 2015.

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This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day through May 31, 2025. Inspired by my MFAH 100 project.

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Have a song you’d like me to consider? Send a message or leave a comment. I will give it a serious listen.

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