Love and Gravity

Soprano, mezzo-soprano, clarinet, bassoon, piano

Duration: ~10'

Complete in one movement

Language: English

Text by Nora Farley

To acquire sheet music, contact the composer

This piece was premiered May 25th, 2025 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI

Program Notes

4.5 Billion years ago, when Earth was still a roiling volcanic wasteland devoid of life, a small, watery planet called Theia came soaring into our solar system. It got caught in orbit until it passed close enough to Venus to be swayed by its gravity, and slipped into the path of the young Earth. The two planets collided with monumental force and broke apart. Their matter mingled and over time, gravity reformed them, not into two planets, but into one planet and one moon. To this day, Earth's mantle contains material from Theia, and the Moon contains material from Earth. The water borne by Theia settled on Earth, and it is theorized that that water could have contained the very first life to grace our planet.

Reading this scientific story, I feel great awe at the immense spiritual clout it carries. It appears to me, a myth, ready-made by science. I imagine transparencies layering multiple truths over the same event. Two rocks meet in space, and (not or), two goddesses fall in love. They collide, destroying each other, their hearts broken, for love is difficult. They reform, but remain forever changed, eternal companions in the vast vacuum of space. As Gaea incubates the cells Theia left upon her surface, the oceans become her womb, the cradle of all life. In time, she gives birth through evolution to all life, and Theia is there, a second mother watching over their children by night, rocking their cradle with the tides, and inspiring generation upon generation, culture upon culture to myth, folklore, and scientific exploration.

GAEA:

When we were young I was nothing but a tumult of smog and fire

I peered through my smoky veils Saw you veiled in lustrous blue

I felt the pull of your gravity, Teasing at my orbit In sunlit radiance, You woke me from my sleep

You shining water woman Dancing free Soaring from the outer reaches You brilliant colossus, You treasure in the void Theia, dearest

You stirred me into life

THEIA:

When we were young I wandered Alone, alone among the myriads Until I saw you With your smog and fire And the heat of your lambent glow

I felt the pull of your gravity Draw me into orbit Your smoke-wreathed mystery You called me to your side

You ardent molten woman Blazing bright Dancing in your starry halo You sun-soaked burgeoning miracle Beauty spinning in the void Gaea, dearest,

You taught me how to love

BOTH:

Oh Theia/Gaea

Swayed by venus You/I danced across my/your path Bathed in your halo, In your shadow we fell in love

Our heavenly bodies came together For love and gravity are one and the same Oh Gaea/Theia

You rent me to the core

THEIA:

O Gaea, I am no more, I am nothing but the wounds I gave you Nothing but meteors extinguished, flung away My waters burnt to steam in your heat, My viscera strewn between the stars Gaea, dearest,

I'll dance with you no more

GAEA:

Theia, dear one, you remain. Your fragments cradled in my mantle, Your waters embracing me, Clothing me in blue

And my grief for you bleeds salt into my seas

Progenitrix of all my children, you remain Reformed by time and gravity, So close now, my shadows kiss your face Named anew through transformation,

BOTH:

Luna You’re with me in the void

You are still with me, And you are within me now We are still dancing in our star-blessed orbit Stay near, my beloved, My companion in the void Gaea/Luna, dearest

You are still with me, And you are within me now We are still dancing And all my children are your children You/I shine on their darkness, Rock their cradle in the tide

BOTH:

Always with you

Waxing brighter

Dear beloved

Now forever

Gaea/Luna, dearest,

You made me what I am

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