Telephonic

Telephonic

Duration: 10:36

Instrumentation: Chamber Orchestra, Fixed Electronics

Technical Specifications: .wav 48kHz stereo audio, HD 1080p video

Performer: Members of The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor: Ron Royer

Year: 2020

I began my work on what would become Telephonic after reading a news article on recently discovered audio recordings from the 1860s. Through the use of modern computer and laser-scanning systems, we are now able to playback some of these early recordings that would otherwise be inaccessible due to the fragility of the playback cylinders. I was intrigued by the idea of hearing human voices from over 150 years ago, and the beauty and imperfect nature of these early recordings strongly resonated with me.

Since many of these early recordings were captured by the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, I began to think more about how his invention began the transformative development of the information age in the 20th century — ultimately leading to the invention of the internet and other instant telecommunication devices we take for granted in the 21st century. Telephonic thus ultimately turned into a tribute to this invention, and its massive impact upon all aspects of human society.

The electronics are made up from two early recordings — an 1860 recording of the French folk-song Au Claire de la lune and an 1880 recording of G.F. Handel’s Israel in Egypt, along with other early recordings of Bell himself. As a very broad musical guide, I used and imitated compositional methods, devices, and melodic/harmonic gestures frequented by composers of the period from 1860-1920 throughout the piece, eventually evoking a simple chorale or hymn at the end — a tribute to the Telephone.