C. H. Weich (1892–1973)

Abstract This chapter contains newly crafted translations and International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions of three poems by C. H. Weich from the work Song Cycle for Soprano and Piano. Poems include “I Barely Know You,” “I Know You Now,” and “Why?” These songs were set to music by composer, pianist, double bass player, and pedagogue Blanche Gerstman. Gerstman studied under famed South African composer William Henry Bell. She was the first student to graduate in music from the University of Cape Town. The above songs are scored for medium-high/high voice. Gerstman’s vocal works are highly regarded and occur in the “South African Carols” collection, an anthology called: “Love’s Grief: A Selection of Afrikaans Art Songs,” and in the “F.A.K. Art Song Anthology.” Lyric diction recommendations are provided for best practices for singing in Afrikaans. Topics include love, longing, grief and rejection.