Heine-Lieder : Der arme Peter, 2 (In meiner Brust, da sitzt ein Weh) / Söderman

Composer: Söderman, Johan August
Dates:1832-1876
Song title: In meiner Brust, da sitzt ein Weh = Djupt i mitt bröst jag bär ett sår
Opus, no., etc.: 2
Music collection title: "Der arme Peter" für eine Singstimme und Orchester
Imprint(s): Stockholm: Lundquist, 1870
Source(s) for score: Sånger med piano = Lieder mit Klavierbegleitung / August Söderman ; hrsg. Axel Helmer -- Stockholm : Edition Reimers, 1981. Pl. no. ER 40110
1st line of poem: In meiner Brust da sitzt ein Weh (Go to text and translation)
Source of poem: Buch der Lieder: Junge Leiden: Romanzen, Nr.4b
Date of composition: 21. April 1857
Nationality of composer: Swedish
Language(s) of text: German, Swedish
Tempo marking: Andante appassionato [M.M. dotted quarter=60]
Key: A minor
Time signature: 6/8
No. of measures: 45
Approximate duration: 2 min., 15 sec.
Form: modified strophic
Vocal range: e to g' [e' to g"]
Vocal tessitura: middle tessitura overall, some phrases lie rather high (Go to chart)
Vocal rhythms: normal 6/8 patterns: at least one siciliano rhythm per period, many quarter-eighth sequences, dotted quarters at phrase ends
Vocal intervals: stepwise motion slightly predominant, with a healthy smattering of thirds, fourths and fifths
Vocal comments: this song needs excellent breath control and a relaxed technique; singer must be proficient enough to sing quietly and comfortably in and across the "break" (d' to g' range for tenor) with some frequency; phrases often descend from and return to the upper notes, just the reverse of the first song in this set
Textual variants, etc.: last lines of second and third stanzas repeated
Instrumental part(s): piano part at first glance looks more difficult than it is, since it "lies under the hands" very nicely; in both solo and accompanimental sections 4- to 7-voice homophony in siciliano rhythm alternates with wide-ranging arpeggios; the vocal melody is often doubled
Summary: The descending phrases, minor key and siciliano rhythms impart a sense of dreamy, wistful sadness, without any of the bitterness and anger apparent in Schumann's setting of the same text. There is a vaguely volkstümlich lilt which puts Peter's pain at a nostalgic distance.