Farewell Song

Farewell Song has been taken from Der Trompetervon Säckingen by Victor E. Nessler (1841-1890). Thisopera tells the sentimental story of a plain musicianwho is eventually allowed to marry the daughter ofa baron. From the first performance in 1884, thisopera was well liked - not so much because of thestory but because of its musical features. Impressivetrumpet solos, drinking songs and dance scenes werethe ingredients that enthralled audiences throughoutEurope. Today, only the farewell song called JungWerner’s Abschied, also known as Behüt’ dich Gott,has remained an absolute winner. Wil van der Beekhas written a fine arrangement of this entitledFarewell Song. He felt itwas appropriate to entrustthe melody of this song, originally written for tenorvoice, to the baritone or euphonium.