Gabriel Prokofiev, Peter Gregson :: Cello Multitracks (Nonclassical)

An engaging and original collection of avant-garde classical versus electronics—Nonclassical are carving out a unique niche style that’s well worth paying attention to.

[Release page] UK based club night and record label Nonclassical sit firmly in a unique avant-garde hinterland between virtuoso classical musicianship and grubby East London pub-gig rock and roll electronics. It’s collectives like this alongside venues such as Cafe Oto that make me fall in love with London just that little bit more—where rules are ripped up, genres are forgotten and healthy doses of experimental brilliance shine through.

Nonclassical founder “Gabriel Prokofiev” sports the kind of Russian genetics that were, quite frankly, never going to lead him into a world of starch collar accountancy. The grandson of Sergei Prokofiev is joined on “Cello Multitracks” by 24 year old cellist Peter Gregson to “reconnect concert music with a sense of what’s contemporary and tangible.”

Composed as a dance suite for cello nonet (works conceived for nine musicians) the original Cello Multitracks pieces marry classical instruments to dance techniques both modern and traditional. “Jerk Driver” takes the mechanics of rave and pitches them against spiky melodies before entering a more relaxed classical phase until a bent out of shape return to its grime-y rhythms is ushered in. “Tuff Strum” uses pizzicato and taps to create a refined syncopated groove whilst the excellent “Float Dance” spins a freaky motif into a tension filled climactic build.

Following the nonet theme, nine remixes are also included as part of the release—conjoining electronic composers such as DJ Spooky and Tim Exile with the original pieces to provide moments of genius. “Heavy Deviance – Detroit Spin Remix” deliver Murcof-esque 4/4 classical clicks whilst “Medasyn” create a wonky soundscape that can be best described—and I steal this phrase from Luke Vibert‚as a wonderfully abstract “melodius thump.” Tim Exile throws down some thick widescreen squelch and mentalist electronic spasms in his take on “Float Dance” and Tivannagh L’Abbe ups the pace, picking apart and re-assembling the cello samples in a
rhythmically driven form.

An engaging and original collection of avant-garde classical versus electronics—Nonclassical are carving out a unique niche style that’s well worth paying attention to.

Cello Multitracks is available on Nonclassical. [Release page]