Record Label 'Nonclassical' Reaches 10 Years

Nonclassical is a record label owned by London based electro-acoustic composer and DJ Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei Prokofiev that explores the underground scene of the contemporary classical genre. This year the label has reached its 10th birthday and will celebrate with its first UK wide tour, ‘The Art of Remix’, which will include artists featured on the album of the same name. The label will also release a crowd funded book entitled ‘We Break Strings’ alongside the tour which chronicles the evolution of alternative classical music. 

During the last 10 years, artists signed to Nonclassical have performed in spaces very different from the traditional concert hall setting associated with classical music including pubs and clubs as well as more unusual venues: car parks, warehouses and living rooms. During this time the label has enjoyed a large increase in popularity. Between 2004 and 2007, London club nights ran bi-annually before changing to once a month. At the heart of the movement, says Prokofiev, is a desire to find a new audience for contemporary classical music, away from the traditional performance space. ‘A lot of people see classical music as something for older generations’, he explains in the campaign video for the new book’s kickstarter page, ‘a kind of historical museum art form, where as in fact, there are some very exciting composers and young musicians out there performing but not necessarily reaching an audience they could be reaching.’

The book ‘We Break Strings’ contains a collection of photos, interviews and essays which document the history of Nonclassical and showcase some of its most exciting moments. Author Thom Andrews says that the book’s text will be ‘part history, part cultural commentary and part fanzine.’ It is hoped that book will help open up the underground movement to a wider public.

‘The Art of Remix’ album explores the electronic music technique of using elements from a recorded piece of music to create something new. Nonclassical imposes a rule that only material from the original master recordings may be used, meaning that remixers must be resourceful in order to create certain sounds. The label has attracted attention from big name artists including Hot Chip and Thom Yorke who have both remixed for the album.

Joining Prokofiev at club nights in London, Leeds, Manchester and Durham is three time world champion DJ, Mr Switch, who became the first DJ ever to have been featured at the BBC proms after performing Prokofiev’s work ‘Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra’ in 2011. 

Dates:

15 October
Manchester (Kraak Gallery) 

16 October
Leeds (Belgrave Music Halls) 

18 October
Durham (The Hub, Barnard Castle) 

20-26 October

London (Residency @ Red Gallery)