Under Construction Journal Issue 6.1 UNDER CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL 6.1 | Page 13

requirements for the Western classical tradition's requisite sections of exposition, development and
recapitulation located within its large-scale musical structures and the concerto form's established trope
of dialectical back-and-forth. Furthermore, by juxtaposing a broad range of hip-hop 'scratch' techniques
alongside both classical and popular dance forms, Prokofiev could construct a multi-movement
compositional framework wherein the two worlds would equally impress.
Given that the turntables cultural raison d'être is to provide percussive support for rap
artists or rhythmically underpin the act of breakdancing, it assumes a natural position within the
orchestra's percussion family, and so Gabriel simply notates it as such throughout. However, in his
performance notes, the composer reminds us that 'the turntables with mixer evolved in a world [where]
music is [rarely] notated.' 8 As with all folk music, hip-hop is an aural tradition, handed down and crafted
overtime via a continual process of listening, replicating and improvising. Classical music, by contrast, is a
world dependent on the written text, anchored by precise and specific notation. Gabriel remarks that 'to
make allowance for freedom of interpretation that is so intrinsic to DJing [I include] sections marked ritmo
ad lib.' 9 In these sections, while the correct musical samples must be performed, the DJ is empowered to
demonstrate the unique rhythmic flexibility of the instrument.
The completed work, scored for chamber orchestra, 10 is bolstered by an extravagant
percussion section. Four percussionists are responsible for baggy and tight bass drums, small and medium
gongs, scraped gong, splash and ride cymbals, Chinese cymbal, two timpani, low rotor toms, struck-reeds,
shakers, bongos, tom-toms, slapstick, tambourine, sleigh bells, vibraphone, wood chimes, tenor drum,
triangle, hi-hat and side drum. Prokofiev assembling here a potent, percussive engine able to drive his
amalgamation of classical and electronic dance music with a powerful ease whilst matching the explosive
rhythmic potential of his soloist. Not long after its completion DJ Yoda and the Heritage Orchestra
performed the world premiere of the Concerto for Turntables at London's 'Scala' nightclub. Uncut
Magazine calling it a 'highbrow classical/hip-hop mashup [with] beat-juggling set against Stravinsky-like
punches.' 11
8
Ibid.
Ibid.
10
Comprising triple winds, triple brass and string ensemble.
11
"Gabriel Prokofiev Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra," Nonclassical, accessed August 27, 2018,
https://www.nonclassical.co.uk/music/.
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