Jan. 2025 (for countertenor, violin, and piano)
I was intrigued by the flowing and dreamy quality of James Russell Lowell’s poem “The Sirens” and decided to set an excerpt from it to music. The wave-like obstinato of the piano sets the scene of tranquil water as the violin chimes in with sometimes alluring and vocal, and other times bird-like chirping lines above it. And the countertenor joins in on the conversation, admiring the beauty of nature and lulling the listener in with imagery vivid to all five senses. This splendid beauty eventually meets a grotesque twist that reveals how deadly a charming mystique can be. I am so grateful and excited to write this piece for Karlo and Melody, who never fails to bring me joy and inspiration.
Written for and performed by Karlo Andrei Antalan 🎶 and Melody Choi 🎻 for their senior recitals in April 2025 at Taplin Auditorium in Princeton University.
Excerpt from The Sirens by James Russell Lowell
Here all is pleasant as a dream;
The wind scarce shaketh down the dew,
The green grass floweth like a stream
Into the ocean's blue;
Listen! Oh, listen!
Here is a gush of many streams,
A song of many birds,
And every wish and longing seems
Lulled to a numbered flow of words,
Listen! Oh, listen!
Here ever hum the golden bees
Underneath full-blossomed trees,
At once with glowing fruit and flowers crowned;—
So smooth the sand, the yellow sand,
That thy keel will not grate as it touches the land;
All around with a slumberous sound,
The singing waves slide up the strand,
And there, where the smooth, wet pebbles be
The waters gurgle longingly,
As if they fain would seek the shore,
To be at rest from the ceaseless roar,
To be at rest forevermore,—
Forevermore.
Thus, on Life's gloomy sea,
Heareth the marinere
Voices sweet, from far and near,
Ever singing in his ear,
"Here is rest and peace for thee!"
