Gabriel Prokofiev (yes, he is the grandson of Sergei) will have his Concerto for Minimoog Synthesizer and Orchestra performed as part of the Masterworks 3: Double Take event in Asheville, NC.
This US premiere will take place on 14th November, 2pm and 8pm at First Baptist Church of Asheville, and will also feature Kabalevsky’s Overture from Colas Breugnon and Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet Suite.
“Concerto for Minimoog…” is the first concerto written for a single monophonic synth in the traditional soloist position, placing the iconic Minimoog at the centre of the orchestra.
Alongside this, the Bob Moog Foundation will have a Minimoog Playground set up in the atrium of the church, for concert attendees to explore before and after the performance and during the intermission.
As well, an exhibit “Minimoog Through the Ages” will run 12-16 November at the Moogseum.
Composer Gabriel Prokofiev writes: “I hope [audiences] enjoy the coming together of electronic music rhythms and textures with classical forms. And ultimately I hope they will enjoy a really engaging and inspiring musical journey: one of my main aims is to pull the audience into a deep and exhilarating experience.”
The result moves through a striking range of sounds, including acid house, techno, expressive theremin-like passages, complex multiphonics, drum machine sounds and distorted bass lines. Throughout the work, the orchestra shifts roles from traditional symphonic accompaniment to imitating the synthesizer, taking expressive solo moments and creating rhythmic gestures reminiscent of a DJ.
