(By the courtesy of C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective.)

 

Score Preview: PDF

​

Text in Original Language:

When I have fears that I may cease to be

Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain,  

Before high piled books, in charact'ry,  

Hold like rich garners the full-ripen'd grain;  

When I behold, upon the night's starr'd face,  

Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance,  

And think that I may never live to trace  

Their shadows, with the magic hand of chance;  

And when I feel, fair creature of an hour!  

That I shall never look upon thee more,  

Never have relish in the faery power  

Of unreflecting love!-then on the shore  

Of the wide world I stand alone, and think  

Till Love and Fame to nothingness do sink.

​

Programme Notes:

Till Love and Fame to Nothingness Do Sink is composed for 8-part unaccompanied mixed chorus. The individualism and romanticism of John Keats very much trigger my intentions to express sentiments on personal affairs associated with this poem, through programme notes for the very first time. In particular, my attachments to the poem turn to be the strongest as I have ever been.
 
The poem and music possess close references to death, anxiety, love, nature and beauty. Within limited time in life, many things cannot be achieved before death. As a common theme in English Romantic poetry, the nature of harvesting grain, the night sky, stars, clouds and the shore reflect the intangible beauty of the world.
 
After completing the work in 2021, I recalled the poem when I was passing by Keats’s shared lodgings (while studying in 1815-16) near his statue in London Bridge few months ago with my love. Later, we tried to schedule and visit New York together for this premiere and leisure, if our overwhelmed diary and capacity permit. But now, I echo the fears faced by Keats, which I might not be able to compose for live performances, witness the beauty of the world, or experience love anymore, together with the one I love the most.
 
To the poet, 3 years before his death at the age of 25, Keats realised he may have no time to achieve love and fame, but they rather sink to nothingness.
 
To me, may love be above fame and all challenges in life everlastingly. It will never sink, but conquer when such wonderful, highly independent and individualistic person will no longer want to be alone one day. As enlightened by Shakespeare, “the course of true love never did run smooth”.
 
Composing a musical setting on a text which other composers had already attempted at is always a more challenging task, as it is usually more difficult to achieve further on what has left to be done musically and artistically. But I hope this choral setting, together with my sentiments, may bring forth the message behind and bear more fruit. And I dedicate it to anyone who struggles with fears, pressures and pains in work and life.