Fair as a Star

William Wordsworth's poem "She dwelt among the untrodden ways" evokes a sense of solitary beauty, comparing the subject to a violet and a single, shining star. J. G. Stalnaker sets this text for SATB choir, capturing the poignant intimacy of the poet's lament for a life lived in obscurity but deeply felt by the observer. The English lyrics express a profound personal loss, highlighting the contrast between the subject's unrecognised existence and the significant void left by her passing. This art song offers a moving reflection on memory and the impact of even the most hidden lives.