This movement is a much softer, less turbulent movement. Marked \u2018somewhat dragging and exhausted\u2019, it begins with a repetitive shuffling in the strings, followed by solo wind instruments. The orchestration in this movement is sparse and chamber music-like, with long and independent contrapuntal lines.
The lyrics, which are based on the first part of a Tang Dynasty era poem by Qian Qi, lament the dying of flowers and the passing of beauty, as well as expressing an exhausted longing for sleep.
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A listening guide of Das Lied von der Erde \u2013 Der Einsame im Herbst with Lew Smoley.