Poet: Wystan Hugh Auden (1907-1973)
Source: Cabaret Songs
Date of Composition: 1938 (Jan)
Publication: Cabaret Songs; Faber Music 1980
Voice Difficulty Level: Moderate
Subject: What is love? Tell me.
Range: A3 – A5
Tessitura: F#4 – A4
Tempo: tempo rubato; C
Duration: 05:13
Vocal Characteristics: Recitative like sections; three repetitive verses; descending chromatic triplet figures; jazzy melody; one very high-lying, wordy phrase could make this a moderately difficult piece;
Piano Difficulty Level: Moderate
Accompaniment Characteristics: Constant swung triplet chords
Additional Comments: *The only manuscript source (probably dating from the period of composition) for this work is a non-holograph copy, in the key of B flat major. There were subsequent copies of the piece made by Rosamund Strode, possibly in preparation of the publication in 1980 in the higher keys of D flat major and D major, the key of the published version. It is possible that the original key was B flat major, and it was later transposed up for Peter Pears to sing as he occasionally included this song in recitals after Britten's death.
*From the Britten Thematic Catalog http://www.brittenproject.org/works/BTC844