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