Poet: John Donne (c.1572-1631)
Source: The Holy Sonnets of John Donne
Date of Composition: 1945 (Aug. 3)
Publication: Boosey & Hawkes, 1946
Voice Difficulty Level: Difficult
Subject: I cry in grief because of my pride.
Range: G4 – A5
Tessitura: B4 – D5
Tempo: Andante con moto; 4/4
Duration: 02:55
Vocal Characteristics: Long legato phrases; high percentage of dissonance, many times vocal line and piano a semi-tone apart switching between B4 and C5; recitative-like section;
Piano Difficulty Level: Moderate
Accompaniment Characteristics: Sensitive weeping accompaniment figures; tremolo recitative-like section;
Additional Comments: A sketch of the first 10 measures was scratched out in the manuscript a M3 lower; numerical tempo indication is not in the manuscript; mm. 3, the manuscript does not contain the marking of lamentoso; pp. 14, mm. 7, manuscript reads “Slow” in the piano score; manuscript indicates the duration as 3:00