Poet: William Soutar (1898-1943)
Source: Who Are These Children?
Date of Composition: 1969 (Spring-Summer)
Publication: Faber Music, 1972
Voice Difficulty Level: Moderately Difficult
Subject: There lies a fine line between nightmare and reality.
Range: C4 – Ab5
Tessitura: G4 – D5
Tempo: Quietly; no meter
Duration: 02:27
Vocal Characteristics: Vocal line does not rhythmically align with the piano at all times; short phrases; requires pitch independence; ascending sixths to top of range then quick descents;
Piano Difficulty Level: Difficult
Accompaniment Characteristics: Consistent repetitive figure of seven eighth notes; sections are marked as repeat with no notation; intervals in left hand while the ostinato repeats above; requires full attention to the singer to line up phrases
Additional Comments: Meter changes often; requires sophisticated collaboration due to the lack of rhythmic pulse; Britten Thematic Catalog http://www.brittenproject.org/works/BTC1144