Gravitational Waves

Gravitational Waves was commissioned by the Ascham School in 2016 especially for the opening of the new Science and Community Centre.

Not long before Paul and Bonnie began composing this work, a team of scientists discovered the proof of Einstein’s 100-year-old theory of gravitational waves in space.

This important discovery once again allows us to wonder where we fit into this vast universe. Researching leading astronomers like Brian Cox, Carl Sagan, Fred Watson, Plato, Galileo, Aristotle, Newton, Marie Curie, Krauss and more, Paul and Bonnie also worked with students to inspire the new work.

“We are the cosmos, made conscious, and life is the means by which the universe understands itself.” Brian Cox

“The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.” Edward Teller

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow” Albert Einstein

The audio sample is taken from a digital source

Themes

Sing a Finale Sing a global story Sing a history Sing for an eisteddfod Sing the adventure
Duration 4:20
Key G major with many modulations
Range Low G for altos and up to a high G for SOPS
More info Also available with chamber orchestra and solo Theremin. Contact us for parts and scores.
Price AU$3.00 per copy

Lyrics

G R A V I T A T I O N A L   W A V E S                  
                             
By Bonnie Nilsson & Paul Jarman 

Here I am, here I stand
It’s only the beginning
And I’m learning to understand
No one can be like me
I’m only what I am, and all I am is what I am

But my head just wants to be in a place deep in outer space
Where all my mistakes are spinning around me
Like stars in the sky trying to guide me
They show me the way 
And now I’m on my way

I’ve so much to learn
And nothing to fear but the fear of the unknown
As I’m riding the waves, finding my way through infinite time
Sailing the ripples of space
They show me the way
And I’m on my way

So here I am, here I stand
It’s only the beginning
And I’m learning to understand

© Nilsson/Jarman 2016