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: Moderately Difficult
Subject: When the trumpet sounds, let me still repent.
Range: D4 – A5
Tessitura: A4 – E5
Tempo: Largamente e maestoso; 4/4
Duration: 02:43
Vocal Characteristics: Larger phrase groups with short breath opportunities; consistent quintuplet figure in each phrase, with same shape; meter changes in middle section; last 3 measures without accompaniment
Piano Difficulty Level: Difficult
Accompaniment Characteristics: Consistent use of tremolo in both hands; other hand punctuates with rhythmically precise and syncopated chords; right hand contains multi-note flourishes (10-13 notes)
Additional Comments: Numerical tempo indication is not in the manuscript; pp. 29, mm. 6, the piano flourish, the piano A/B written together is detached in the manuscript creating a 14th figure; pp. 31, mm. 6, beat 3, manuscript re-indicates pp; manuscript indicates the duration as 2:45