29.11.15 // Rise Of The Machines @ KIngs Place
Programme to include:
Music by Raymond Scott and Brian Eno, Leon Michener’s Klavikon project + Nonclassical DJs playing seminal minimal electronic works during the interval and after the concert
Klavikon (Leon Michener) prepared piano
Nonclassical Synth Ensemble
Nonclassical DJs
Nonclassical bring their alternative mid-week session, where contemporary classical meets underground club culture, to Kings Place for the Minimalism Unwrapped series.
Nonclassical’s mission is to redefine the classical experience and take a new wave of exciting composers to new audiences. The seminal Hackney-based company was founded by composer, DJ & producer Gabriel Prokofiev.Currently entering its 10th year of championing bold new music in adventurous ways, Nonclassical have released over 14 albums on their record label and produced events at London’s leading live venues including XOYO, The Scala and Oval Space, various international stages including SXSW in Texas, and now they return to Kings Place for the first time in three years.
The programme features the Nonclassical Synth Ensemble who will be exploring the minimal electronic works of Raymond Scott, a pioneering and prolific composer, engineer, and the founder of Manhattan Research Inc, an early electronic instrument designer and manufacturer. The Ensemble will also perform a live synthesiser arrangement of Brian Eno’s classical music from the 1970s, a period where he was experimenting with tape delay techniques inspired by Terry Riley, and early ambient electronica. All works will be scored and arranged by Leon Michener.
Also performing is Klavikon, virtuosic pianist Leon Michener’s unique system of amplified prepared piano. Klavikon is an unconventional take on live electronic music - no loops or laptops - the percussive sounds and sub-bass come from piano keys innovatively altered with found objects and inventions such as a custom made pick up and a robot dog; yet he draws on the landmark prepared piano techniques of John Cage and Henry Cowell.
In between the live music and to close out the evening, Nonclassical DJs will be spinning the most stimulating sounds in minimal electronic and classical music.
"ace night that turns classical music on its head" Time Out
"Prokofiev talks about 'breaking the mould' and 'audience relevance', but he may have stumbled on something even more radical: a vision of classical music as good old-fashioned entertainment.” Ivan Hewett, The Telegraph