Lovdahl, Ian
Spectacular. A tremendous sonic adventure that chases the duality of organic lifeblood and chilled artifice; ersatz synth notes mingle with bowed and plucked strings, wading through the ever-present current of choral voices, marrying biotic verve with the mechanical. Truly excellent craftsmanship, I'm blown away.
Favorite track: TK2_Wavefolder.
brenden winger
This whole album explores one dark curiosity after another until it just consumes you whole. Fantastic work. Unreal production value. Feels like someone using their powers to tear apart animals, tinker with objects at home, and lift entire bodies of water
I've been waiting for this since the day the live premier was announced, and it was well worth the wait. Favorite track: TK3_FloatingLake.
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Telekinesis—an eighty-seven-piece work for electric guitars, orchestra, choir and electronics—will be released on November 11, 2022, via New Amsterdam and Nonesuch Records. Featuring the Metropolis Ensemble conducted by Andrew Cyr, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus conducted by Dianne Berkun Menaker, and chamber choir The Crossing conducted by Donald Nally, Telekinesis is the first studio recording of the work.
Telekinesis is the result of a co-commission by the Southbank Centre London and Musica Nova, Helsinki Festival. The world premiere took place on April 18, 2018 at Queen Elizabeth Hall with the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers, followed by a performance at Helsinki Festival by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Andre de Ridder conducted both performances.
Braxton calls Telekinesis “the latest and largest example of intersections between my electronic music and notated music, both sonically and philosophically.” Throughout the recording and production process, Braxton sought to “create an environment where electronic instruments and acoustic instruments coexist in a place that feels balanced and organic.” To achieve that, the orchestra, choir, and electronics were tracked section by section at Oktaven Audio in Mt Vernon, New York from August 2021 to March 2022 by engineer Ryan Streber. This allowed for a hyper-detailed mix session with Seth Manchester at Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket, RI. As a studio recording, the mix recreates how an orchestra would be placed (with some exceptions), but is exaggerated in its width and in the closeness and depth of certain instruments, surrounding the listener.
Braxton says: “As a science fiction and horror fan, the initial idea was to write an opera based on the Japanese manga masterpiece Akira, although over time, I realized I was more interested in the story as an invisible thematic guide rather than something more literal. Among a number of storylines in Akira is the idea that a young boy comes upon the ability to move objects and generate energy with his mind. Entirely enthralled with his own power and apparent limitless potential, and despite his inability to physically and mentally control this force, he launches unrestrained into its use. Ultimately, his hubris overtakes and destroys him. The power of the mind has been a compelling consideration for me and is an underlying theme in this piece.”
credits
released November 11, 2022
Composer, Electronics, Celeste:
Tyondai Braxton
Metropolis Ensemble:
Andrew Cyr, artistic director/conductor
"Eastman lived his life veering between irreconcilable extremes." Pitchfork has a great article that provides context: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17803-jace-clayton-the-julius-eastman-memory-depot/ Joe Holt
When the Yule season rolls around, I am hopeful that some thoughtful souls will silence the all-too-commonplace holiday jingle-jangle in the room and allow sufficient space and stillness to play — and •listen• to — this most etherial take on a classic German carol. Philip David Morgan
Expansive, turbulent electronic music from Reid Willis that imagines the cycles of “creation & destruction, beauty & violence.” Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 6, 2020
An introspective multi-media experience showcasing experimental electronic dreamscapes alongside short films by an array of visual artists. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 31, 2022