Some of the most poignant songs that deal with life's joy and sorrow, and mortality are from German composers based on poems. Here are a few that are particularly moving.
The "four last songs" by Richard Strauss.
Fruhling (spring)
September
Beim Schlafengehen (when fallen asleep)
Im abendrot (at sunset)
this video where Sir George Solti and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa rehearsed "September" is particularly interesting and you can hear her gorgeous voice with only piano accompaniment
Kathleen Ferrier sings "Um Mitternacht" by Gustav Mahler
Both Kathleen and Mahler struggled with death. Mahler composed a number of songs based on poems by Friedrich Rückert. Kathleen collaborated with Bruno Walter on many of Mahler's work in her final days when she was gravely ill.
Kathleen Ferrier sings "An die Musik" by Franz Schubert
i also like the interpretation of the great Dietrich Fischer Dieskau
a mention of Dietrich Fischer Dieskau should not omit his Der Erlkönig (the Erl King)
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