Luminous Blue
orchestra | 7’30”
Luminous blue variables are massive, unstable stars, which, at their peak, are some of the brightest in the universe, in some cases over a million times more luminous than our sun. At irregular intervals, LBVs experience violent eruptions, losing tremendous mass and brightness and hurtling enormous quantities of particles into the void which settle to form nebulae around the weakened stars. These floating masses eventually get reabsorbed into the stars, fueling their next eruptions, until the stars suffer an outburst so cataclysmic that they cease to be. This piece attempts to capture this unique and thrilling cosmic ritual.
Performances
Manhattan School of Music Symphony; David Gilbert, conductor
