Written in the early years of Ludwig van Beethoven�s (1770-1827) career, Die Pr�fung des K�ssens is a setting of jurist and poet-lyricist Klamer Eberhard Karl Schmidt�s Meine weise Mutter spricht. Composed sometime between 1790 � 1792 for solo bass voice and ensemble, it may have been written with German actor and operatic bass Joseph Lux in mind, as the two were members of a group traveling together to Mergentheim, Germany in September and October of 1791. The text wittily discusses the contradictions of a wise mother�s advice on kissing (�Kissing, kissing, child is a sin!�) and the son�s contrary views (�Well, I poor sinner, think it cannot be laid aside.�) Instrumentation: 1.2.0.0: 2.0.0.0: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Solo Bass (available separately).