Gabriel Prokofiev / Mr Switch | LAB 1: El-sound

On Saturday night the stage in the lobby of the Philharmonic will see a collision of the old with the new on many levels. The symphony orchestra, embodying centuries-old musical tradition, and musicians from the world of electronic sounds will face each other.

Gabriel Prokofiev is the grandson of 20th century classical musician Sergei Prokofiev. Gabriel is a composer, music producer, DJ and creator of the "Nonclassical" concept.

Under this label, Gabriel Prokofiev produces in England music that challenges European classical music. One of the flagships of Prokofiev's grandson’s innovative projects is Concerto for Turntables, a concerto for turntable and orchestra. What will happen when the role of the soloist in the conventional sense – the violinist, pianist or trumpeter, is replaced by a person with several turntables? We will learn this after hearing Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Turntables. Mr Switch, the first DJ to perform at the BBC Proms! will be behind the decks. Concerto for Turntables was performed in that prestigious room with the National Youth Orchestra (2011).

By the way, it is worth pointing out that the case of Gabriel Prokofiev, the grandson of the 20th century classical music composer that took the path of electronic music, is not isolated. Andrzej Panufnik's son chose likewise. Well, Charles Ives used to say that in the 21st century children will whistle the tunes in quarter notes, and thus the next generation’s achievements appear to be quite classical anyway …