Breake Of Day
For Mezzo Soprano and Piano | Range Bb3 - Eb5
A setting of John Donne’s, Breake of Day
Programme Notes
Breake of Day was written in the Annex of Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I had been desperate to write another song and so flipped through a book of Donne’s poetry. I was struck by how playful this poem is in setting out all of the arguments for why their spouse should not leave the marriage bed for work in the morning. I love the narrator’s wittiness and lightheartedness, (rather than sadness), and find this poem a joyful celebration of love and marriage. I have written the song for Mezzo Soprano, however, the gender of the narrator is not defined in the poem. For me, the gender of the narrator fluctuates every time I think of this piece.
Performance Instructions
This piece is upbeat and joyful, witty and mischievous, spoken by a person (of any gender) who is secure in their relationship, but bemoaning the loss of warmth after a night in bed.
Be aware of the metric modulation in bar 33. Don’t rush this section.
The melody is lyrical and floats freely over the accompaniment. The singer can favour
lyricism over rhythmic accuracy.
The piano part is the rhythmic bedrock of the piece and should be played without rubato
unless indicated.
Duration: 3 minutes
PDF Digital Download
2 Copy License (Singer and Pianist)
Please support self-published composers and buy extra copies rather than photocopying
For Mezzo Soprano and Piano | Range Bb3 - Eb5
A setting of John Donne’s, Breake of Day
Programme Notes
Breake of Day was written in the Annex of Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I had been desperate to write another song and so flipped through a book of Donne’s poetry. I was struck by how playful this poem is in setting out all of the arguments for why their spouse should not leave the marriage bed for work in the morning. I love the narrator’s wittiness and lightheartedness, (rather than sadness), and find this poem a joyful celebration of love and marriage. I have written the song for Mezzo Soprano, however, the gender of the narrator is not defined in the poem. For me, the gender of the narrator fluctuates every time I think of this piece.
Performance Instructions
This piece is upbeat and joyful, witty and mischievous, spoken by a person (of any gender) who is secure in their relationship, but bemoaning the loss of warmth after a night in bed.
Be aware of the metric modulation in bar 33. Don’t rush this section.
The melody is lyrical and floats freely over the accompaniment. The singer can favour
lyricism over rhythmic accuracy.
The piano part is the rhythmic bedrock of the piece and should be played without rubato
unless indicated.
Duration: 3 minutes
PDF Digital Download
2 Copy License (Singer and Pianist)
Please support self-published composers and buy extra copies rather than photocopying