Poet: Friedrich Hölderlin (1770-1843)
Source: Sechs Hölderin Fragmente
Date of Composition: 1958 (Summer)
Publication: Boosey & Hawkes, 1962*
Voice Difficulty Level: Difficult
Subject: Metaphoric examination of life. (From an unraveling mind.)
Range: E4 – Ab5
Tessitura: C4 – E5
Tempo: Slow; 2/2 (3/2)
Duration: 01:52
Vocal Characteristics: Melody largely based on semi-tones; long, sustained phrases in the slow section;
Piano Difficulty Level: Difficult
Accompaniment Characteristics: Triplets throughout, alternating hands; pedal tone in left hand; sudden shifts in clef;
Additional Comments: Extreme challenge of new tempo and return to original tempo is very sudden in the middle section;
*Boosey score contains translations by Pears and Elizabeth Mayer