Poet: Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891)
Source: Les Illuminations
Date of Composition: 1939 (Mar. – Oct. 25)
Publication: Boosey & Hawkes, 1944
Voice Difficulty Level: Moderate
Subject: A repeat of the first song (I alone hold the keys to the savage parade.)
Range: B4 – E5
Tessitura: E5
Tempo: Moderato ma comodo; 4/4
Duration: 01:35
Vocal Characteristics: Repeated E5
Piano Difficulty Level: Difficult
Accompaniment Characteristics: Piano transcription by the composer; many tremolos; instrumental lines that come out of the orchestral texture;
Additional Comments: As this piece would likely never be performed outside of the context of this cycle the voice level of this piece does not reflect what the cycle would require.
*Elizabeth Mayer
*From the Britten Thematic Catalog http://www.brittenproject.org/works/BTC867