Setting William Blake’s poem from Songs of Experience, this piece honors the memory of the composer’s uncle, linking Blake’s sunflower to a beloved figure whose warmth and brightness shaped his childhood.
Premiered by: Hollywood Master Chorale, conducted by Lauren Buckley
Venue: Los Angeles, California
Commissioned by: Hollywood Master Chorale
Ah Sunflower takes its text from William Blake’s “Ah Sunflower” from his Songs of Experience. The piece is dedicated to the memory of my khalo (“uncle” in Arabic), Fadi Ishak, who passed away in 2007. Upon reading this poem for the first time, it immediately struck me that I needed to set this to music. Khalo Fadi was always enamored with sunflowers and it would be difficult to find a room in his home that didn’t have at least one! He was the sunflower of my childhood, brightly shining and always smiling.
2017 KHORIKOS ORTUS International New Music Competition, Finalist
2015 Vancouver Chamber Choir Contest, 1st Prize Winner
