Schumann’s iconic song cycle, Frauenliebe und Leben, tells the story of a 19th century woman who defines herself by the man in her life. Maury Yeston’s December Songs, written for the Carnegie Hall Centennial in 1991, describes a 20th century woman defining and finding herself after a relationship has ended. As Jonathan Carroll said in his book, White Apples, "Real love is always chaotic. You lose control; you lose perspective. You lose the ability to protect yourself. The greater the love, the greater the chaos. That's a given. And that's the secret."