Poet: John Donne (c.1572-1631)
Source: The Holy Sonnets of John Donne
Date of Composition: 1945 (Aug. 8)
Publication: Boosey & Hawkes, 1946
Voice Difficulty Level: Difficult
Subject: My love has died.
Range: E4 – Ab5
Tessitura: G4 – F5
Tempo: Adagio molto rubato; 3/4
Duration: 03:36
Vocal Characteristics: Smooth and legato line; some high-lying phrases; duple against consistent triple in the piano; nebulous quality due to lack of strong rhythmic pulse
Piano Difficulty Level: Difficult
Accompaniment Characteristics: Consistent, rocking triplet figures in both hands throughout; much dynamic contrast
Additional Comments: Numerical tempo indication is not in the manuscript; manuscript indicates the tempo as “Andante molto rubato;” pp. 25, in the manuscript the f indicated at mm. 11 occurs two measures earlier on the downbeat of mm. 9; manuscript indicates the duration as 3:50