NYC DCA 2025 Grant Supporting Materials
Metropolis Ensemble
Andrew Cyr, conductor
NYC DCA WORK SAMPLE ONE
Life Returns (excerpt from Movement 2, Stirrings Amid Stillness): Matthew Evan Taylor
Metropolis Ensemble
Rajas Ensemble
Andrew Cyr, conductor
Ganavya, solo voice
Recorded Live (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) March 24, 2022
Life Returns is an evening-length composition by Matthew Evan Taylor, co-commissioned by Metropolis Ensemble and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Premiered live at The Met in March 24, 2022, the work blends African American, South Indian, and European musical traditions, featuring performances by the RAJAS Ensemble, Matthew Evan Taylor (saxphone/composer), vocalist Ganavya, and Metropolis Ensemble’s chamber orchestra, conducted by Andrew Cyr. It served as the culmination of the year-long "Postcards to The Met" video series and is slated for album release in May, 2025.
NYC DCA WORK SAMPLE TWO
Telekinesis (excerpt of Movement 4, TK4_Overgrowth): Tyondai Braxton
Metropolis Ensemble
Andrew Cyr, conductor
The Crossing (choir)
Brooklyn Youth Chorus
2021—2023
Telekinesis is a groundbreaking 87-piece composition by Tyondai Braxton, blending electric guitars, orchestra, choir, and electronics into a cohesive sonic experience. Released in November 2022 on New Amsterdam and Nonesuch Records, the album features performances by Metropolis Ensemble (conducted by Andrew Cyr), Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and The Crossing. Inspired by themes from the manga Akira, the work explores the balance between electronic and acoustic elements, creating an immersive and dynamic soundscape.
Critically acclaimed, Telekinesis received two nominations at Europe's 2023 Opus Klassik Awards. The New York Times praised it as "a joy... Tyondai Braxton in full command of his art."