Luise Greger: Heiliges Leid, Op. 95 (1926)

Heiliges Leid, Op. 95 (1926) by Luise Greger (1862-1944) Indictus Project Thea Lobo, mezzo-soprano Sam Nelson, organ This spiritual song, describing the idea ‘blessed are those who mourn’, features shifting harmonies and simple gestures, emphasizing the play of light and dark. Luise Greger (1862-1944) was a highly respected musician and composer in Germany, recognized for her talent by Richard Strauss among others. She enjoyed a long and celebrated career, especially for her famous children’s Christmas show, Goose Girl. Tragically, at age 81, living in Nazi occupied Germany, she was moved from her assisted living facility to a mental institution and within some months died of starvation, a victim of Nazi ‘euthanasia’. Heiliges Leid Es liegt ein reicher Segen im Leid, weil es von Schlakken die Seele befreit! Wenn du dem Himmel entgegen reifst, gläubig die Hand des Vaters ergreifst; hörst, wie er spricht so lieben