Gravity Wave | George Spicka


©2021 GEORGE SPICKA

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This is a midi-version of Gravity Wave, a piece I composed for the “Pique Collective,” a Baltimore based ensemble that performs New Music.

Pique Collective consists of flute, guitar, cello, piano, and percussion. With regard to Gravity Wave, the flute and cello both are to be doubled electronically. These doubled parts are included in the score.

The piece’s rhythmic intent is manifest, with a steady quarter note pulse throughout. With few exceptions, the piece is in 6/8 meter. The most noticeable exception is the first section, which consists of alternating measures of 5/8 and 6/8.

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In 1664, Isaac Newton was the first to become aware of gravity. Called “the Law of Universal Gravitation,” it is the force that draws objects toward each other. However, Newton was unable to determine what this force was.

Albert Einstein had many ideas about gravity and space. He predicted that when two bodies, such as planets or stars, orbit each other – they would cause ripples in space. These would spread out like ripples when a stone in tossed into a pond.

Gravity waves are invisible but fast, traveling at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second).

They were observed for the very first time in 2015, using the combined Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatories in Hanford, Washington and Livingston, Louisiana.