Business As Usual

When the famous US Tacoma Narrows Bridge was constructed in early 1940, it was the third longest suspension bridge in the world. It soon also become known as 'Galloping Gertie' due to its vertical swaying in even mildly windy conditions - crowds would gather to watch the bridge rock wildly. But it was this aerodynamically induced 'self-excitation' that eventually caused the bridge to collapse dramatically into the river below - the very same year that it was built!

This acousmatic composition takes ideas from the bridge's aeroelastic flutter, as well as focusing on the bridge's construction and the controversy surrounding the bridge's flaws and its ultimate failure. Links are formed between concepts of instability, tension, construction, suspense, excitement, and danger.

AndrewStride

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