The grandson of the great Russian composer is coming to Moscow to personally present his Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra.

The famous family name may become a heavy burden, a fact well-known to the descendants of many great people, who have had to change their names, interests and activities so as to avoid the curse of eternal comparison. Sergei Prokofiev’s grandson has made a name for himself in the same profession as his colossal grandfather, who changed the course of the world music in the 20th century. Composer, DJ, music producer and curator — Gabriel Prokofiev easily combines academic traditions and the latest developments in hip hop and dance electronica, taking the road with practically no competitors.

Born in London, in the family of painter Oleg Prokofiev, Gabriel grew up listening to classical music, and even composed some pieces in his youth in emulation of his grandfather. But, just as a teenager should, he began with music that was closer to the heart of his peers, founding his first rock band at the tender age of 10. After studying composition at both Birmingham and York universities, Gabriel Prokofiev first moved as far away from the philharmonic standards as possible: he played DJ gigs, produced rap tracks and composed electronic music, which ranged from rarefied electroacoustics to energetic grime and electro. In 2003, the composer went back to his roots, and began to compose symphonic pieces that summed up his unique experience gained in the conservatories, academic music concert halls and night clubs. Also in 2003, he organized the Nonclassical record label, which releases both his own works and the works of other composers that seek to bridge the 20th and 21st centuries.

Over the last 10 years, Gabriel Prokofiev has compiled a prominent portfolio of works, which include seven symphony concerts, all kinds of chamber and vocal music, an orchestra remix of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and soundtracks for films, stage and ballet productions. His music has been performed by leading international orchestras, famous conductors and star soloists. It drew praise from the critics of every principal global media, from The Guardian to The Times, who called it “revolutionary,” “extraordinary,” “devilishly clever,” and “heavenly beautiful.”

In December of 2017, SOUND UP presents a program of selected works by Gabriel Prokofiev, which were personally chosen by composer, whose avant garde career is changing ideas of contemporary academism. Gabriel’s best known work Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra will be performed at the concert. It premiered in 2011 at the BBC Proms festival with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain under Vladimir Jurowski.

For Moscow’s premier of Concerto for Turntables, the vinyl record turntables will be manned by DJ Tactics, an iconic Russian hip hop DJ and experimentalist, who has performed on one stage with Snoop Dogg and Diplo. He is also the head of Russian branches of global DJ organizations IDA and one of the oldest russian DMC, the musical producer who had a hand in many recordings of russian rap stars, music for advertising and movies; the creator and host of his own YouTube show about music industry and DJing called “Tactics of Sound.”

Composer - Georges Aperghis

Instrumental theatre builds a particular kind of stage behavior and a special mode of communication to the audience. The musicians not only play their instruments they also act as drama artists: they move along the stage, recite text, sing, read etc. The genre of music theatre is thus a truly interdisciplinary form of art and the music here is both to listen and to see.

Georges Aperghis, Greek-French composer, awarded Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Biennale di Venezia composed Little Red Riding Hood (Le petit chaperon rouge) in 2001. Based on Charles Perrault’s tale the work builds a score for six performers who present the story full of scenic and music effects, unexpected storyline turns. The work has been designed for children as well as for adults – the flow of the peerless but ambiguous narrative invites everyone to take an active part in the performance and allows for new impressions on contemporary music language.

The Studio for New Music ensemble was the first group in Russia to explore the genre of music theatre with its production of Der Stand der Dinge by Faradzh Karaev in 2016 followed by staged works of Kagel and Aperghis.

Alexei Smirnov – stage director
Graduated from Russian Academy of Theatre, awarded prizes at the Mariinsky Theatre Competition, Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre “Nano-Opera” Prize.

Elena Bodrova – stage designer

Vladimir Tarnopolski – artistic director

Composer: Andrey Kuligin  

Choreographers of performance: Anastasia Kadruleva and Artem Ignatiev

Production designer and costume designer: Sergey Illarionov

Lighting designer: Lyubov Svobodova