Poet: John Donne (c.1572-1631)
Source: The Holy Sonnets of John Donne
Date of Composition: 1945 (Aug. 6)
Publication: Boosey & Hawkes, 1946
Voice Difficulty Level: Difficult
Subject: Oppress me, to raise me up.
Range: C#4 – A5
Tessitura: G4 – Gb5
Tempo: Presto agitato; 4/8
Duration: 01:28
Vocal Characteristics: Wordy, high-lying, fast melody; alternates between triple and duple syncopation feel in vocal line; sustained two measures above the staff; constant changing of accidental chromatic pitches
Piano Difficulty Level: Difficult
Accompaniment Characteristics: Constantly driving triple sixteenth-note figure; contrary motion between hands;
Additional Comments: Numerical tempo indication is not in the manuscript; p. 9, ms. 6, the piano indication of sempre piu f is not in the manuscript; p. 10, ms. 1, the manuscript contains the marking (3/2) on beat four, possibly a fingering; manuscript indicates the duration as 1:10