Special to The Herald

NEW BRITAIN — The New Britain Symphony Orchestra, despite the loss of two prominent figures in local orchestral music, is to present the state premiere of “Chasing Light,” a new work by Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Joseph Schwantner, on Sunday.

The concert will be given at 3 p.m. in Welte Hall at Central Connecticut State University.

“Chasing Light” is a four-movement work inspired by a poem by the composer. “‘Chasing Light’ draws its spirit, energy and inspiration from the celebration of vibrant colors and light that penetrate the morning mist as it wafts through the trees in the high New England hills,” Schwantner said.

It was described as “hauntingly beautiful” by the Reno Gazette-Journal following the September world premiere by the Reno Chamber Orchestra in Nevada.

Sunday’s performance is dedicated to the memory of Catherine Stockman, executive director of the New Britain Symphony Orchestra, and the conductor and orchestra music director Jesse Levine.

Stockman passed away suddenly in late October, and Levine died last week.

Filling in for him as conductor on “Chasing Light” is Julian Pellicano, assistant conductor of the orchestra. Maurice Peress will conduct the two other pieces on Sunday’s program, Prokofiev’s amusing Suite from “Lieutenant Kije” and Beethoven’s melodic Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56.

Soloists in the Beethoven work will be renowned chamber music artists, violinist Daniel Phillips, pianist Morey Ritt and cellist Marcy Rosen.

Rosen recently joined the Lion’s Gate Trio, in residence at the Hartt School at University of Hartford, and has been a participant in the Marlboro Festival in Vermont for many years. Morey Ritt collaborated with Levine in many concerts. Daniel Phillips was a soloist with the New Britain Symphony in the 2006-07 season.

The orchestra is one of 58 across the country, including at least one of in each of the 50 states, to present Schwantner’s new work during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. Funding is part of a project offering an opportunity for ensembles in smaller communities to premiere works by established American composers for audiences nationwide.

Stockman learned about “Chasing Light” soon after beginning her role with the orchestra in April. She asked Levine if he was interested in participating. Levine was enthusiastic because of his respect for Schwantner’s compositions and because of his friendship with the composer, which developed when Schwantner taught at Yale, where Levine is chairman of the String Department. The NBSO is the only Connecticut orchestra participating in this project. The composer will attend the concert as well as a preconcert talk at 2 p.m.

Tickets may be ordered by telephone using any major credit card or at the box office on the day of the performance. The New Britain Symphony telephone number is (860) 826-6344. Prices are $25 for adults; $22 for seniors; $5 for ages 13 through college; and children 12 and under are free. Group rates are available at $15 each for groups of 10 or more people.

Sponsor Ford Made in America is made possible by a grant from the Ford Motor Co. Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Co. Major support is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional funding from The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts and The Amphion Foundation.

The New Britain Symphony performance is also sponsored by The Stanley Works, The Tomasso Group, The Hospital of Central Connecticut and Farmington Savings Bank, with additional funding from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.

For information, go to fordmadeinamerica.org.