Liederkreis, Op. 39

Liederkreis, Opus 39, is a song cycle composed by Robert Schumann. Its poetry is taken from Joseph Eichendorff's collection entitled Intermezzo. Schumann wrote two cycles of this name – the other being his Opus 24, to texts by Heine – so this work is also known as the Eichendorff Liederkreis. Of this cycle Schumann said, "The voice alone cannot reproduce everything or produce every effect; together with the expression of the whole the finer details of the poem should also be emphasized; and all is well so long as the vocal line is not sacrificed." Liederkreis, Opus 39, is regarded as one of the great song cycles of the 19th century. Schumann wrote it starting in May 1840, the year in which he wrote such a large number of lieder that it is known as his "year of song" or Liederjahr.