Commissioned by Brian Giebler
Duration; 12 Minutes
“Through the Rainbow’s Edge” is an intimate song cycle commissioned by Grammy-nominated tenor Brian Giebler, drawing inspiration and text from real stories shared by LGBTQ+ parents. Composer Clarice Assad crafted this deeply personal work from questionnaire responses that captured the hopes, fears, challenges, and profound joys experienced by queer families on their journeys to parenthood. Structured in four movements, the work explores the complexities of modern family-building while challenging societal norms and addressing personal fears. The authentic voices of LGBTQ+ parents weave throughout the piece, creating a tapestry of shared experiences that speaks to both individual stories and universal themes.
The first movement, “When He Asked,” opens with a tender dialogue between partners about expanding their families. The movement captures the internal conflict between personal hesitation and the possibility of greater love. “Night’s Vigil,” the second movement, delves deep into the psychological landscape of internalized fears and generational trauma. The third movement, “Paper Trails,” offers commentary on the bureaucratic process that LGBTQ+ couples face in their journey to parenthood. The cycle concludes with its title movement, “Through the Rainbow’s Edge,” which transforms the earlier struggles into a moment of transcendent joy. This final movement suggests that while barriers persist, the love between parent and child exists beyond societal constraints, painting a hopeful vision of a more inclusive future. Throughout the work, Assad weaves together themes of personal growth, social justice, and the transformative power of love, creating a piece that stands as both a collection of deeply personal narratives and a broader statement about the evolving nature of family in contemporary society.