Sung by Helen Henschel (Soprano)
Die Vogel (The Bird)
Mignon's Song: Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt (Only the longing heart knows)
Der Wachtelschlag (The Quail Cry)
Im Abendroth (At Sunset)
Der Musensohn (The Son of the Muses)

In Die Vogel the voice suggests the free swoop and curve of the bird, and contrasts its care-free life with the anxieties and narrowing cares of men.
Mignon's Song, from Goethe's Wilhelm Meister, is well known in settings by various composers, Tchaikovsky's being the most commonly sung of all. 'Only the longing heart can know my grief, far from the loved one,' is its burden.
In Der Wachtelschlag the call of the quail is fancifully likened to a voice crying 'Fear God,' 'Love God.' The listener is enjoined, as he surveys the rich fruits of the earth, to 'Praise God' and, whenever he stands in terror, to 'Pray to God.' Always he is to 'Trust in God,' who ever holds him in His care.
Im Abendroth is an evening meditation on the loveliness of God's world, that calms the soul and fills it with the assurance of His presence.
Der Musensohn is a lively lad who pipes for any who will hearken.