This stirring minor key work captures the longing in the human soul as melodic phrases effectively express the sorrow and loneliness felt from the absence of a loved one. The recurrent sweeping counter-lines in the viola and cello reflect the swelling tears, and the violin tremolos the anguish that comes from yearning for their return. In a brief faster section near the end, the imagination is taken to a possible reunion with the missing loved one.

Performers and audience alike will connect to this sensitive emotion that we all experience at one time or another through life.