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Gabriel Prokofiev in Residence at the University of Toronto New Music Festival

Jan. 06, 2014

Gabriel Prokofiev in Residence at the University of Toronto New Music Festival

The University of Toronto New Music Festival hosts Gabriel Prokofiev as its Roger D. Moore Distinguished Visitor in Composition this month. Prokofiev has emerged as a unique musical polymath, spanning the realms of composition, studio production, and work as a DJ, in addition to founding the record label/nightclub hybrid “Nonclassical”. The festival, which takes place from January 25 to February 2, presents several of the composer’s most unique works, including the Concerto for Turntables & Orchestra, Spheres for violin and string orchestra, Cello Multitracks, String Quartet No. 1, and a staged production of his music-theatre piece The Ghost of Gunby Hall.

On January 26, as part of the festival, the Espirit Orchestra presents “Strange Matter”, a concert event featuring a movement from Prokofiev’s Cello Concerto No. 1 with cellist Bryan Cheng and guest conductor Samy Moussa leading the orchestra. Prokofiev provides the following statement on the piece:

[In this work], I have continued my interest in taking influences from electronic and contemporary dance music styles, as well as from classical and modern classical forms; so that this concerto both explores the more traditional and lyrical aspects of the cello as well as syncopated, percussive and minimal approaches… I instinctively started to write music that connected it to my Russian heritage, albeit with a contemporary twist… I have stayed true to my own compositional voice, but I have allowed those aspects that connect to my Russian side and my grandfather to sing out louder in this work.

The Chicago Composers Orchestra, which delivered the Midwest premiere of Prokofiev’s Concerto for Bass Drum and Orchestra in February of 2012, brings Spheres to the states for the American premiere on January 19 as part of its program “Amidst Lush Plantlife”. The audience will be treated to a free concert in the Garfield Park Conservatory, one of the country’s finest plant conservatories, with additional music by John Luther Adams and Chicago composer Kyong Mee Choi.

For more information on Gabriel Prokofiev, please visit www.fabermusic.com.

Details on the University of Toronto New Music Festival, including a complete list of events, can be found at www.music.utoronto.ca.

Visit www.espritorchestra.com for information on the Espirit Orchestra program.

Details on The Chicago Composers Orchestra program can be found at www.garfield-conservatory.org.

Gabriel Prokofiev
Concerto for Turntables & Orchestra (2006)
1(afl).1(ca).1(bcl).0-1.2.1.btbn.0-timp.4perc-str
Expanded Version:
2(1.pic).afl.2.ca.2.bcl.2.cbsn-4.3.2.btbn.1-timp.4perc-hp-str
21’

Spheres (2012)
for violin and string orchestra
4’
 
Cello Multitracks (2011)
suite for cello and pre-recorded multi-tracked cellos, or cello nonet
20’
 
String Quartet No. 1 (2003)
14’

The Ghost of Gunby Hall (2012)
a golden fable for 2 actors, chamber ensemble of 4 players, laptop & optional SATB choir
cl(bcl)-pno-vn.vc-electronics-opt. SATB choir
24’
 
Cello Concerto No. 1 (2013)
2(1.pic).2.2(2bcl).1.cbsn-2.2.2.btbn.1-timp-3/4perc-str
22’

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