top of page

Composition

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art, Op. 10a

 

[sample score]

 

Alternative title: 璀璨明星,作品 10a

Year of composition: 2022

Instrumentation: piano

Duration: 2½ mins

Dedicatee: Daniel Kuk 谷瑋昭

Related work: original song for voice (all), piano

Premieres:

World premiere:

Lance Mok (pno)

2022 May 1・Recital: Poesy・Acton Hill Church, London, UK

Asian premiere:

Kelvin Chan (pno)

2023 Jul 22・Kelvin Chan's Student Recital 2023・Recital Hall, City Hall, Hong Kong

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art is a transcription of the composer’s setting of John Keats’s sonnet. The song is set to a modified AABA form with a codetta ending in a deceptive cadence as the sonnet deviates from the ideal of eternal love to contemplating death, and thus love’s mortality. The stable pulse and tonality echo the tranquillity of the night and the steadfastness the poet vows to his love.

© 2024 Lance Mok
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
bottom of page