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Interview: Gabriel Prokofiev

When Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra was performed at the BBC Proms back in 2011, it raised a few eyebrows amongst the classicalmusic establishment. Incorporating hip-hopbeats, record-scratching, and live remixes oforchestral sounds, it isn’t something that youwould expect to come from the grandson of Sergei, the celebrated Russian classical composer.

Gabriel’s background as a producer of electronica, however, means that he is entirely at home challenging the limitations of genrelabels. “The idea of groove and rhythm that has a really exciting energy to it – has definitely found its way into my classical music – it’s a natural way for me to compose”, he tells me from his cluttered Hackney studio, surrounded by keyboards, mixers and audio equipment. We talk about the reasons why today’s classical music can sometimes be perceived as elitist. “A lot of it is just to do with people not really thinking out of the box and sticking to very traditional, outdated concert formats. A lot of classical events stay within a very formal, oldfashioned mode of presentation – even down to the flyers, the language used, the colours, the typeface, everything – you always feel like you’re going back in time”.

To try and counteract these stereotypes, Gabriel founded the ‘Nonclassical’ record label. Since its inception in 2004 it has gone from strength to strength, with its ‘classical clubnights’ becoming an increasingly prominent feature of London’s alternative clubbing scene. The musicians are amplifi ed, DJs remix the music between each set, and everybody has a drink in hand. “The format of the club night I think is unique. We have these short, live sets interspersed with DJ sets… we’re trying to put on concerts where your average music-lover feels comfortable: hence putting stuff on in clubs and bars.

“My friends who weren’t musicians wouldn’t come to recitals. It just didn’t fit into their lifestyle. So it’s really about finding new directions for contemporary-classical music”. Part of the key to the night’s success is the sheer diversity of acts that perform (the most recent event featured everything from music by Dutch minimalist composer Andriessen to a satirical opera about Boris Johnson). As Gabriel explains, “More and more we’re discovering that it’s good to have some kind of theme or narrative that connects the works being played, something that will get peopleintellectually interested and inspired.”

“Everyone who turns up is really impressed by the standard. They’re like ‘my god, I didn’t even know this existed’. We’ve had people come to our gigs who have never seen a string quartet before”. So what’s next for Nonclassical? “The most fundamental aim is to get more performances and to increase its presence in contemporary culture – for young composers to really get their work out there”. Nonclassical is helping to redefine classical music’s image and promote young musical talent in London, across the UK, and beyond. Long may it continue. The next Nonclassical event takes place on the 5th of June at the Shacklewell Arms, London.

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