I just met Brian Balmages today. I asked him about this piece and he told me that it was one that took him over a year to make. He said that he began in the middle of the piece, and ended up getting so frustrated that he nearly threw it away. 7 months afterwards, he pulled it out and started to compose the other parts out of curiosity. He also got the name of the song from a Bassoonist he knew that remarked on just how unique a gravity wave is. Just thought I would share!!
I absolutely love this piece!! Although, as a flute, I can tell you that the last page is absolute HELL. It is by far my favorite part to listen to but to play, nah. If you get lost at that part, you are screwed
For our marching season this year my director took this and flight of the Griffin (we have previously played both in concert) and made a field show out of it. It's amazing. Love balmages
Love love love this song!!! Just played it for a Wind Ensemble competition. The oboe part is just so much fun to play, but I would be lying if I said I didn't almost black out every time I played the solo at the beginning. It's a killer, but sounds so amazing and mysterious when played right!!!
You have never wanted to die so much in your life until you play 1st Flute on this! We nicknamed the last page the DEATH PAGE xP lol there were only 2 of us and we thought our fingers were going to fall off! I have never enjoyed dying so much lol. Band Life Forever!
I had the part too, we called it OH and my band director was never so frustrated with me and the clarinet first because I was the only one on the first part of flute
+Stone Ren only 2 people on first flute. The other 6 were either on 2nd flute or oboe. this band could split the parts like that, our school had 3 bands. The top band could pretty much hold their own part wise.
Our school's Wind Ensemble did this for a competition. I'm serious when I say people were crying in the audience, and they got about a 3-minute long standing ovation. This song rocks.
Im a little late lol but we’re playing this for senior band festival as well as our spring concert this year and I love this song. The ending and clarinet solos are painful to play (I play first clarinet) but its an amazing piece to play. Hopefully we get a good score.🤞
at first i was super resistant to this piece because I thought it was “boring” but after regions band looking back on it i was soooo wrong. This piece portrays a beautiful strong story of independence and how so many different things can sound beautiful together. It was really hard playing piccolo and trying to count and not miss cues but it definitely strengthens any musician who plays this!! i love this piece😁
This song is amazing on clarinet! I played third part for an all-region clinic/concert directed by Brian Balmages himself my sophomore year of high school (2011-12). Absolutely stunning.
I just met Brian Balmages today. I asked him about this piece and he told me that it was one that took him over a year to make. He said that he began in the middle of the piece, and ended up getting so frustrated that he nearly threw it away. 7 months afterwards, he pulled it out and started to compose the other parts out of curiosity. He also got the name of the song from a Bassoonist he knew that remarked on just how unique a gravity wave is. Just thought I would share!!
gunnar723 that's awesome!
Interesting
I absolutely love this piece!! Although, as a flute, I can tell you that the last page is absolute HELL. It is by far my favorite part to listen to but to play, nah. If you get lost at that part, you are screwed
EmmaBear Omfg yes I feel you. Not even second flute part can escape that.
lol im playing first part and it just took a good hour of actually practicing to get down but geez that hour was a nightmare
That last page is something else, man. Amazing, and so satisfying when you nail it, but omg.
... I actually came here to look at a gravity wave... thank you commenters I would not have taken the time to listen, and I am so glad I did!
Omg yes I played first part and last page was the worse
This is honestly one of my favorite band pieces I've ever played. Of all time.
+peaceknight777 AGREED! (:
just played it at my last band concert lol. ugh the mallet part.though kms
bruh the mallets are ez in this peice
Percussion was so fun for this song. Amazing
For our marching season this year my director took this and flight of the Griffin (we have previously played both in concert) and made a field show out of it. It's amazing. Love balmages
you have not live until you play french horn on this
Love love love this song!!! Just played it for a Wind Ensemble competition. The oboe part is just so much fun to play, but I would be lying if I said I didn't almost black out every time I played the solo at the beginning. It's a killer, but sounds so amazing and mysterious when played right!!!
You have never wanted to die so much in your life until you play 1st Flute on this! We nicknamed the last page the DEATH PAGE xP lol there were only 2 of us and we thought our fingers were going to fall off! I have never enjoyed dying so much lol. Band Life Forever!
I had the part too, we called it OH and my band director was never so frustrated with me and the clarinet first because I was the only one on the first part of flute
you guys have 2 flutes!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! that doesnt sound like a complete band anymore
+Stone Ren only 2 people on first flute. The other 6 were either on 2nd flute or oboe. this band could split the parts like that, our school had 3 bands. The top band could pretty much hold their own part wise.
First flute and second flute parts for this are literally the same except for notes, all the rhythms are the same
Low key low key saxes have about the same part rhythmically.
Clarinet part was so much fun, the first clarinet seizure at the end was to die for
I went to a concert and they played this and I recognized it immediately. This is such a beautiful song
words couldnt describe the excitement i had when i found out i got to play this song.
Our school's Wind Ensemble did this for a competition. I'm serious when I say people were crying in the audience, and they got about a 3-minute long standing ovation. This song rocks.
if played correctly, the brass part on this is SO RICH AND AMAZING
My band is going to play this at regionals and i fkn love this song soooo much band4lyfe
Now that we've actually found gravitational waves, this song is all the better :D
Played bass trombone for this piece, what a time to be alive
Love the first alto saxophone part and the solo
3:22 is the start of the flute solo!
This is the song that granted me the nickname "Mediocre Clarinet Player" among my friends.
I played the Hi-hat/toms a couple of years ago and it was the most fun ive had playing a concert peace
Im a little late lol but we’re playing this for senior band festival as well as our spring concert this year and I love this song. The ending and clarinet solos are painful to play (I play first clarinet) but its an amazing piece to play. Hopefully we get a good score.🤞
just played this at a concert yesterday french horn is soooooooo good
My bands playing this song for winter season this year. Its gonna be so cool. 1st horn!!
tenor sax anybody? or bari or bass clari?
Playing marimba for this piece. I LOVE THE ENDING.
Play first clarinet on this. I'm so excited
im da alto sax 1 in ma band
boo yea
'twas music to my ears
TIMPANI O YEAH O YEAH YEAH
holy cow. and a bassoonist? I LOVE BASSOON
I spy with my little eye no tenor sax players other then me! 🎷
This song sucks for tenors haha
at first i was super resistant to this piece because I thought it was “boring” but after regions band looking back on it i was soooo wrong. This piece portrays a beautiful strong story of independence and how so many different things can sound beautiful together. It was really hard playing piccolo and trying to count and not miss cues but it definitely strengthens any musician who plays this!! i love this piece😁
Not sure what part I have for this song yet, but I know we're doing it for our next concert. :D
Timpani/Finger Cymbals. What Up.
I was Suspended Cymbal. :P
Bowing the tam-tam. Heck yes.
Bari sax for life
I wanna play this mostly because of the parts in the late 1:00 and early 2:00 (Clarinet)
This song is amazing on clarinet! I played third part for an all-region clinic/concert directed by Brian Balmages himself my sophomore year of high school (2011-12). Absolutely stunning.
i love this! but the last page makes me wanna throw up playing on the flute :(
Brieflyshypanda same for alto it's hard as shit
@BrittanyDaily same, this song is incredible, its such a masterpiece. Except i play 1st Bb trumpet.
Percussion 1. Oh yea
i played this on tronbone and im not good because i cant b flat so great but this song was amazing
TENAR. OH YEEEAH!
trumpet love
that was unbelievably confusing for a 3rd clarinet 1st read through xD
4:17
5:10
WHY!?
-First Part Clarinet
Low Brass For Days
Mallet Percussion one
I have a passionate hate for this song right now, for i am staying up till 11 playing the last 26 measures as my playing test. god help me xD
5:09 5:11
so much guacomoli or how ever you spell it
same thing right
4:35