The Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny), Op. 54, is an orchestrally accompanied choral setting of a poem written by Friedrich Hölderlin and is one of several major choral works written by Johannes Brahms. Brahms began the work in the summer of 1868 at Wilhelmshaven, but it was not completed until May 1871. The delay in completion was largely due to Brahms's indecision as to how the piece should conclude. Hesitant to make a decision, he began work on the Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53, which was completed in 1869 and first performed in 1870. Schicksalslied is considered to be one of Brahms's best choral works along with Ein deutsches Requiem. In fact, argues in his book on Brahms, "Had Brahms never written anything but this one work, it would alone have sufficed to rank him with the best masters." The premiere performance of Schicksalslied was given on 18 October 1871 in Karlsruhe, under the direction of Hermann Levi. One of the shortest of Brahms's major choral works, a typical performance lasts around 15 to 16 minutes. Instrumentation The piece is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani, strings, and a four-part chorus. Form The work is in three movements, marked as follows: Text Ihr wandelt droben im Licht Auf weichem Boden selige Genien! Glänzende Götterlüfte Rühren Euch leicht, Wie die Finger der Künstlerin Heilige Saiten. Schicksallos, wie der Schlafende Säugling, atmen die Himmlischen; Keusch bewahrt, In bescheidener Knospe Blühet ewig Ihnen der Geist, Und die seligen Augen Blicken in stiller Ewiger Klarheit Doch uns ist gegeben Auf keiner Stätte zu ruh'n; Es schwinden, es fallen Die leidenden Menschen Blindlings von einer Stunde zur andern, Wie Wasser von Klippe Zu Klippe geworfen Jahrlang in's Ungewisse hinab. Ye wander gladly in light Through goodly mansions, dwellers in Spiritland! Luminous heaven-breezes Touching you soft, Like as fingers when skillfully Wakening harp-strings. Fearlessly, like the slumbering Infant, abide the Beatified; Pure retained, Like unopened blossoms, Flowering ever, Joyful their soul And their heavenly vision Gifted with placid Never-ceasing clearness. To us is allotted No restful haven to find; They falter, they perish, Poor suffering mortals Blindly as moment Follows to moment, Like water from mountain to mountain impelled, Destined to disappearance below. History Brahms began work on the Schicksalslied in the summer of 1868 while visiting his good friend Albert Dietrich in Wilhelmshaven. It was in