Planetarium’s inception began in 2014 when Monder was awarded a grant from The
Shifting Foundation to write and record an album. While that project ultimately
took a different direction, work on this one would continue for the next ten years. The
effort was thrust into high gear when the pandemic hit, as there were few distractions
to composing and practicing. During this time, Monder also received a commission to
compose what would become the ambitious piece, “Ataraxia.”
I A most helpful association for Monder has been with engineer and producer Joseph
Branciforte, whose Greyfade Studio in Mount Vernon, New York became a sort of second
home for him during the recording process. Beginning in December of 2020, the
two began to meet frequently at the studio, setting down ideas and inviting collaborators
to add their unique contributions. These integral guests included drummers Ted
Poor and Satoshi Takeishi, bassist Chris Tordini, and vocalists Theo Bleckmann, Charlotte
Mundy, and Emily Hurst.
After three years of recording, Monder produced his grandest statement yet as a
composer and conceptualist. This three-disc set features vast, highly wrought
sound poems as well as spontaneous moments of improvisational brilliance.