Whispers of Light
composer: Nancy Galbraith (2013)
genre: contemporary ballet with chamber ensemble
length: 2 movements, 1 hour 10 minutes
orchestration: 3 fl, cl, b-cl;
3 treble voices, pno, 2 perc;
2 vln, vla, vcl, cb
in support of: Highmark Caring Place
Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents
and Their Families
audio/video:

world premiere: 22 February 2013
Bodiography Contemporary BalletMaria Caruso, choreography
Pittsburgh Festival OrchestraThomas Octave, conductor
Byham Theater • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
program notes: "Whispers of Light: A Story of Hope" is the newest and most powerful contemporary ballet written and choreographed by Maria Caruso, Artistic Director of Bodiography Contemporary Ballet. Caruso’s two-act ballet is an artistic tribute to The Highmark Caring Place, champions to the cause of grieving children. The subject of loss and bereavement is the focus of children who have utilized the services of the Caring Place. The ballet is an in-depth examination of the grieving process and emotional struggles that children feel when they have experienced the loss of a parent or loved one. It further examines the power of strategic coping mechanisms offered through the invaluable support system children receive at the Caring Place. The ballet is a journey of movement expression, finely woven together by an original score by Nancy Galbraith, and embedded with a narrative of stories adapted from children who have experienced some of the most horrific tragedies. It is a poignant exploration of human loss, the strength to move forward, and the undeniable power of human connection.
press bytes: The score by Nancy Galbraith, performed by the Pittsburgh Festival Orchestra, excelled at capturing the hills and valleys of grieving. The largely instrumental work — sprinkled with occasional fragments of lyrics — swept naturally from reverent and ominous to more urgent and back again, a perfect complement to the arc of dancers' performances.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

source: nancygalbraith.com