Mozart's Requiem Mass

This is a beautiful piece from Mozart. When I was in Simon Fraser University Summer Institute Dance Intensive (1988) I had the privilege of working with Gary Masters, contemporary choreographer, New York. The Intensive was 9 am - 4:00 pm classes Monday to Friday with extra 2 hours of learning choreography and rehearsing for the end of summer performances. Some summers the choreographer already had a piece ready other times the piece was created during the program. Masters came with an idea but developed the piece with the dancers. It was truly amazing as a dancer to be the instrument for a choreographer's creative process. It was called Requiem and it was dedicated to the loss of friends. It was personal for anyone who experienced loss of a loved one while at the same time transcended to the symbolic ritual of grief and loss. Performing it I could feel the power and loss of life.

In some way I want to explore death, loss, and grief. Mozart's Requiem Mass and remembering this moment is the beginning of my exploration.

As you listen visualize 15 dancers entering from the back of the theatre dressed in black carrying a lit candle down to the stage. Each dancer set their candle on the floor at the back of the stage and quietly took their place on stage waiting for the last candle to be placed. At that moment the dance began the first section, the realization of loss and grief.