Famous Musical Farewells

Josef Haydn, was the court musician for the Prince of Esterhazy, of Vienna. But the Prince once prolonged his stay at his summer palace in the country, much to the chagrin of his court musicians, who had their families in Vienna. Haydn promised his musicians to convey their feelings to the Prince in a subtle way. 

He composed his Symphony No.45 in F sharp minor, the last movement of which is so designed that the musicians can leave one by one, the last measures being played by only two violins. Needless to say, the Prince got the message & returned to Vienna with his musicians! Hence the name of "Farewell" Symphony for this.

In the evergreen film, "The Sound of Music", the widowed Captain with seven children is courting the Baroness Schraeder & invites her to his home & gives a party in her honour. To entertain the guests, his children, guided by their governess Maria, perform a song "So long, Farewell", in which each of the children, age wise, sing their reasons for withdrawing from the party & dance out, finally leaving the youngest, Gretl, who after singing her lines, promptly falls asleep & has to be carried out!