One of the most famous song cycles is here presented by bass Robert Holl and pianist Naum Grubert. Schubert composed this song cycle in 1827, at the end of his short but very productive life. Just as in his earlier cycle Die schöne Müllerin he uses poems by Wilhelm Müller. Schubert's friends were not convinced of the quality of most of these songs when Schubert performed the cycle for them. However, Schubert answered: 'I like these more than all my other songs and once you will think the same.' And he was right.

A young man is in great despair because his beloved has rejected him. As a consequence he escapes to cold and lonely places. We get to know him as human being full of bitternes, longing, expectations and doubts.