Poet: William Blake (1757-1827)
Source: Songs and Proverbs of William Blake
Date of Composition: 1965 (Apr. 6)
Publication: Faber, 1965
Voice Difficulty Level: Difficult
Subject: Setting up the grim view of Blake’s London.
Range: F#4 – D5
Tessitura: F#4 – D5
Tempo: Recitative (broadly)
Duration: 00:50
Vocal Characteristics: Rhythmic and pitch independence; lies in passaggio for baritone
Piano Difficulty Level: Difficult
Accompaniment Characteristics: Five octave flourishes; octave quarter notes in both hands;
Additional Comments: Lack of meter pulse makes this collaboration a challenge; Proverb I, manuscript contains the marking (quarter = ), but the indication of 60 is not present; the remainder of the work contains no numerical tempo indication