out now: Gabriel Prokofiev + Peter Gregson – Cello Multitracks [Nonclassical]

Artist:
Gabriel Prokofiev + Peter Gregson

Title:
Cello Multitracks

Label:
Nonclassical

Cat#:
NONCLSS014

Release Date:
June 2012

Format:
CD & digital

Tracklist:
01)
Outta Pulsor

02)
Jerk Driver

03)
Float Dance

04)
Tuff Strum

05)
Tuff Strum
(Waves On Canvas Remix)

06)
Jerk Driver
(Marcas Lancaster Remix)

07)
Jerk Driver
(DJ Spooky Remix)

08)
Float Dance
(Home Loner Remix)

09)
Float Dance
(Tim Exile Remix)

10)
The Slap Cellos Of Douala
(Gabriel Prokofiev Remix)

11)
Outta Pulsor
(Monster Bobby Remix)

12)
Detroit Spin
(Heavy Deviance Remix)

13)
Defoncé Dans Le 20eme
(Medaysn Remix)

14)
Hotfoot
(Tivannagh L’Abbé Remix)

15)
Tuff Strum
(Louis D’Heudieres Remix)

16)
Dirty South
(Pixelh8 Remix)

Tracks 14, 15 and 16 are digital-only.

Info:
We’re excited to announce the release of a unique collaboration between acclaimed British composer Gabriel Prokofiev and emerging cellist Peter Gregson. ‘Cello Multitracks’ is a dance suite for cello nonet, conceived as a multitrack work to be performed by just one cellist. The world premiere was at LSO St Lukes, London in May 2011, with Peter playing one part live and the remaining parts covered by an ensemble of eight loudspeakers.

This suite of four contrasting movements takes influences from both electronic dance music and older, more traditional classical forms. Each piece paints a distinct picture: The opener ‘Outta Pulsor’ builds up a ghostly ostinato whose subtle micro-tunings create a mysterious, fluid backdrop, over which lyrical strokes call out expressively. ‘Jerk Driver’ (already released as a single along with a music video) layers jerking melodies over mechanical Grime and Rave motifs, eventually morphing into a more classical interlude. ‘Float Dance’ spins elegant, hocketing patterns to create a twisted renaissance atmosphere, while closing movement ‘Tuff Strum’ explores the extremes of pizzicato technique to build a syncopated groove.

‘Cello Multitracks’ continues Prokofiev’s interest in reconnecting concert music with a sense of what is contemporary and tangible: “Classical music has a long history of using dance forms that are popular at the time, a very exciting approach that has been largely neglected recently.” As the performer, Gregson comments that Prokofiev’s vocabulary of sounds is “pulled from a wider net than anything else I’ve worked on before. It wasn’t just about learning the notes and rhythms (although this was a big thing, too!) – the most important thing was to be able to recreate sounds from electronica and dance music acoustically.” In this context, Peter Gregson’s own contribution was invaluable: “the fact that Peter makes his own electronic music and has a lot of studio experience, meant that he ‘got’ the music straight away and we were on the same wavelength immediately.”

The disc also contains remixes of the original music with renowned contributors including Tim Exile (Warp Records) and DJ Spooky, in styles ranging from dubstep and hip-hop to techno and glitchy electro. The last twelve months have been busy for Prokofiev, with commissions for Bern Ballet, the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire and his BBC Proms debut in 2011, along with DJ sets everywhere from New York to a Peckham car park. Most recently, his Concerto for Bass Drum and Orchestra was given its UK premiere at a packed Roundhouse (London) with Joby Burgess and the London Contemporary Orchestra.

24-year-old cellist Peter Gregson has a growing international reputation. He has premiered works by Steve Reich, Daniel Bjarnason, Martin Suckling, Tod Machover, Max Richter and others, and regularly collaborates with some of the world’s leading technologists.

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