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Johannes Brahms' "5 Lieder, Op. 49" is a set of five German art songs composed for voice and piano. Here are some interesting facts about this composition:

1. Composed in Youth: Brahms composed these lieder in 1868, when he was in his early 30s. At this point in his career, he had already established himself as a talented composer, but these songs marked a significant step in his development as a composer of Lieder (German art songs).

2. Texts by Friedrich Hebbel: The texts for these songs are taken from poems written by Friedrich Hebbel, a German poet and dramatist. Brahms was known for his careful selection of texts and his ability to set them to music effectively, and Hebbel's poems provided an excellent source of inspiration.

3. Varied Themes: The five songs in Op. 49 cover a range of emotional and thematic content, from longing and love to nature and the human condition. Each song explores different aspects of life and emotions, showcasing Brahms' versatility as a composer.

4. Notable Songs: Two of the songs from Op. 49, in particular, are quite well-known. "Wiegenlied" (Lullaby), the first song in the set, is one of Brahms' most famous compositions. The third song, "Scheiden und Meiden" (Parting and Avoidance), is also a notable and emotionally charged piece.

5. Influence and Reception: Brahms' Op. 49 Lieder, like many of his compositions, had a significant influence on later composers and the development of German Lieder in general. The songs are admired for their depth of expression and their effective setting of the text to music.

Brahms' Op. 49 is just a small part of his extensive contribution to the world of classical music, but it remains a beautiful and enduring collection of Lieder in the German Romantic tradition.