Tyondai Braxton releases Telekinesis—an eighty-seven-piece work for electric guitars, orchestra, choir, and electronics—on November 11, 2022, via New Amsterdam and Nonesuch Records. Featuring The Crossing conducted by Donald Nally, the Metropolis Ensemble conducted by Andrew Cyr, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus conducted by Dianne Berkun Menaker. Telekinesis is the first studio recording of the work. The Guardian calls it “a superpower-themed symphony … a titanic composition.”
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.”
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. André de Ridder conducted both performances.
The Crossing
Nathaniel Barnett • Graham Bier • Steven Bradshaw • Matt Cramer • Micah Dingler • Andrew Fuchs • Dimitri German • Dominic German • Josh Hartman • Steven Hyder • Daniel O’Dea • Ben Perri • Daniel Schwartz • Daniel Spratlan • Jason Weisinger
Donald Nally, conductor
Kevin Vondrak, assistant conductor
Jonathan Bradley, executive director
Produced by Tyondai Braxton and Andrew Cyr
Recorded at Oktaven Audio, Mount Vernon, New York, USA, from August 15, 2021 to March 22, 2022
Engineered by Ryan Streber
Edited by Tyondai Braxton
Mixed at Machines with Magnets by Seth Manchester
Mastered at Metropolis Mastering by Matt Colton
Executive Producers:
David Bither & Robert Hurwitz at Nonesuch Records
Cover Art: “Sanctuary City” by Grace Villamil
Album Design by Tyondai Braxton and John Gall