Composed in the year before his passing, the 'Four Last Songs' are held by many to be Richard Strauss’ most beautiful, sensuous, and moving composition. They are songs of farewell and of gentle heartbreak. The words of the final song, 'Im Abendrot', speak of an elderly couple walking hand in hand, at rest from their wanderings, away from life. The final verse:

O weiter, stiller Friede! O vast and silent peace!
So tief im Abendrot So deep in sunset glow,
Wie sind wir wandermüde- How weary we are with wandering-
Ist dies etwa der Tod? Could this perhaps be death?

For this special premiere performance, Salina Fisher has arranged the 'Four Last Songs' for NZTrio and celebrated Australian soprano Emma Pearson.