Turning the tables on classical music

Prepare to have some preconceptions shattered in June as hip-hop and house collide with classical and concert hall for a unique, one-off performance in Glasgow. 

Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra has been created by Gabriel Prokofiev, one of the UK’s leading producers of garage music (and grandson of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev), especially for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and this will see them both push a few boundaries as the perform alongside the founding member of Mixologists DJ Crew, Beni G. 

While at first glance this might sound like an odd combination, all involved are keen to emphasise how vital it is for classical music to change and adapt to modern tastes.  

RSNO Chief Executive Simon Woods has pointed out that “classical composers were the music idols of their era” (without the front page paparazzi shots after a heavy night at the Ivy), but this remains a brave step for the RSNO that they will hope to be the highlight of their three-concert orchestra+ festival.

Concerto for Turntables will be accompanied by New York composer Todd Levin’s Blur, an eight minute fusion of orchestral and techno influences, and Russian composer Alexander Mossolov’s 1928 ballet work Iron Foundry.

If you’ve never considered going to the orchestra before, this could be the perfect introduction.

The concert takes place at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on Thursday 19 June at 8pm, full details on their website.