nonclassical at 20: legendary music promoter celebrates with a concert alongside the London Symphony Orchestra including five world premieres

“in music many people are never exposed to long-form compositions, or more challenging works; and I think they should be“
nonclassical founder, Gabriel Prokofiev

nonclassical in action (Photo: Nick Rutter)

Music promoter, record label and events producer – nonclassical embraces a variety of roles and for twenty years has also embraced other genres and unconventional spaces, cultivating a young and dedicated following. Now celebrating its 20th birthday, nonclassical began in 2004 as a merging of contemporary classical music with electronic music and culture with its first concert of the Elysian Quartet in the Shoreditch club Cargo.

Founded by composer Gabriel Prokofiev, nonclassical reimagined the classical concert experience, with adventurous cross-genre programming using spaces beyond the concert hall that were radical for the early noughties, and directly paved the way for today’s norm of classical music in unconventional spaces and formats. 

Founder, Gabriel Prokofiev, comments: “At the very beginning nonclassical was completely DIY. I had this strong conviction that contemporary classical music had a huge potential audience who just weren’t aware of the existence of new classical music (which they would find to be very relevant and inspiring). The whole project was driven by passion and a belief that contemporary classical was unnecessarily hidden-away, and that it could bring so much to more people’s lives. I’ve often commented that most people read long novels, short stories, newspaper articles, comics (a full range of duration & difficulty), but in music many people are never exposed to long-form compositions, or more challenging works; and I think they should be & would benefit from it. Radio & promoters often tend to under-estimate the public, and so us composers need to do out best to get our music out to new audiences.”

nonclassical is celebrating 20 years with an event at the Hackney Empire on 26 October 2024, with a programme of music all composed in the last decade, including five world premieres and one UK premiere, showcasing 13 contemporary works from emerging and established composers. 

For the concert, nonclassical joins forces with the London Symphony Orchestra and the evening includes the premiere of sound artist and musician Beatrice Dillon’s first work for orchestra, along with the first ever concerto for drum machine and orchestra, plus Tonia Ko demonstrating her bubble wrap virtuosity, Emily Abdy on vocals, Gabriel Prokofiev and Sasha Scott on live electronics, all with the LSO. There will also be a live DJ set from Matthew Herbert.

Further details of the celebratory concert from the Hackney Empire’s website.

“Radio & promoters often tend to under-estimate the public, and so us composers need to do out best to get our music out to new audiences” 
 nonclassical founder, Gabriel Prokofiev