| Popis: |
Gamma-Ray Burst is a single-movement work for sinfonietta with the following instrumentation: flute, oboe, bass clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion, piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, and contrabass. The piece is approximately ten minutes in length and has three distinct formal sections. The conceptual idea for the piece stems from a cosmic event called a gamma-ray burst. This phenomenon is one of the brightest, most chaotic explosions in the entire universe.My composition follows a narrative which parallels the three stages of an actual gamma-ray burst: the undisturbed cosmos, the burst, and the afterglow. The calm opening develops slowly using musical representations of the Doppler Effect, increasing movement and activity. The next section, the burst, depicts the release of a tremendous amount of energy. The energy dissipates via representation of distinct regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum—radio waves, visible light, gamma rays, etc. This suggests the start of the third formal section, the afterglow. In my narrative, the afterglow represents of a scenario in which a gamma-ray burst is aimed directly at the Earth. The lasting effects would be devastating to life on Earth and would result in a barren environment.The rhythmic language employed in this piece is important in accurately depicting the extra-musical narrative. My goal is to create a sporadic and spontaneous musical space. To achieve this, I use syncopated gestures between contrapuntal lines and a variety of rhythmic subdivisions. |
