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Composers' famous last words
Not only did they leave us with their extraordinary musical legacy, these great composers left us with a wealth of profound, moving, and at times confusing, final statements.
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1. Wagner's last words
"Love -- Tragedy". The last words Wagner ever wrote on a score.
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2. Mozart's last words
Although it's difficult to verify Mozart's last words, he allegedly passed away after saying: "The taste of death is upon my lips...I feel something, that is not of this earth"
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3. Bach's last words
"Don't cry for me, for I go where music is born," Bach said to his wife as he lay on his deathbed. Or, so the story goes...
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4. Beethoven's last words
"Pity, pity, too late!" after the case of wine he ordered didn't arrive on time.
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5. Mahler's last words
Despite the fact his wife was sitting by his side, legend has it that Mahler breathed his last after shouting the name of fellow composer Mozart.
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6. Schubert's last words
"Here, here is my end." Earlier in his delirious state, he exclaimed: "This is not Beethoven lying here!"
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7. Chopin's last words
"Now is my final agony. No more." Chopin's final words, as he listened to Mozart's Requiem.
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8. Berg's last words
"But I have so little time." Berg's final words to his wife after she told him to take it easy.
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9. Rameau's last words
Rameau, to his confessor: "What the devil do you mean to sing to me, priest? You are out of tune."
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10. Mendelssohn's last words
When asked how he was feeling before he died, Mendelssohn explained: "Weary, very weary."
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11. R Strauss' last words
Clutching Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, Richard Strauss allegedly said he "would have given anything" to have written it before shuffling off this mortal coil.
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12. Bizet's last words
"I am in a cold sweat. Is it the sweat of death? How are you going to tell my father?"
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13. Berlioz's last words
The great French composer bids farewell to pianist Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev before he dies.
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14. Grieg's last words
"Well, if it must be so."
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15. Rachmaninov's last words
Although his final words aren't documented, the great Russian composer, after discovering he had terminal cancer, said: "My dear hands. Farewell my poor hands."
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16. Strauss II's last words
Upon being told to get some sleep, Strauss uttered his final words, "I will, whatever happens," and passed away.
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17. Schoenberg's last words
An eerie final uttering from the great 12-tone composer, who predicted his own death.
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18. Haydn's last words
Haydn's last words are cause for some controversy, with varying reports as to his parting remarks. Among his last words was his attempt to calm and reassure his servants when cannon shot fell in the neighbourhood.
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19. Brahms' last words
After taking a sip of wine, Brahms exclaimed his last: "Ah that tastes nice, thank you."
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20. Bartok's last words
Before he died of polycythemia, Bartok left many of his works unfinished, lamenting: "The sad thing is that I leave with so much more to say."
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21. Field's last words
Irish composer John Field, when asked whether he was a Protestant or a Catholic, replied with: "I am a pianist," before breathing his last.
