Gabriel Prokofiev
The Patron of Hackney Community Orchestra is composer and producer Gabriel Prokofiev, a London-born, Hackney resident and grandson of Sergei Prokofiev.
"Hackney Community Orchestra are doing an essential cultural action by bringing symphonic music directly to the people of East London. The magic and musical power of an orchestra is something that everyone should have the chance to experience, yet for many, orchestral music is outside of their normal lives. This orchestra are changing that by creating an orchestra that is formed for-and-by the people of Hackney. They perform in all types of venues, with music of all genres, of all moods, and most importantly, they welcome musicians of any standard (and any instrument) to join the orchestra - so that anyone in the community can get the very closest orchestral experience possible by actually being part of the orchestra itself.
I’m honoured to be a patron of the Hackney Community Orchestra. I’ve lived in Hackney for 23 years, I love the spirit and neighbourly warmth of this borough, and I’m thrilled to be part of an orchestra that extends the positive energy of Hackney through music. I hope that I will be able to help the orchestra grow bigger, and reach even more audiences.
I had the fortune to play in orchestras as a teenager, and I gained so many positive life experiences: team-work, listening, discipline, patience, hard-work, and of course the unforgettable experience of creating a beautiful symphonic sound. Hackney Community Orchestra offer those experiences to anyone who has the will and ambition to join them, and I hope I can help spread the word!"
About our Patron
Gabriel Prokofiev is composer of classical and electronic music, and the founder of Nonclassical record label and events (in 2004). Gabriel holds a unique position at the cross-roads between classical and electronic music. His compositions instinctively combine his contrasting backgrounds in underground electronic music (he was a Grime & Electro producer in the 2000s), contemporary classical and older classical styles (his music has been performed by about 50 different orchestras worldwide).
His music first gained international recognition when his genre-defying Concerto for Turntables no.1 was performed at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall in 2011, a work that has gone on to become one of the most performed 21st century contemporary concertos. As well as composing 10 orchestral concertos, he has composed many works for string and live electronics (which he performs live onstage) and has performed throughout Europe and America. His latest work is the first ever ‘Synthesiser Concerto’, written for solo Minimoog and symphony orchestra, which was premiered in Casa da Musica, Porto on 15th November 2025. He latest album ‘Dark Lights’ was recently released on the Nonclassical label.
Through Nonclassical, he has been one of the leading proponents of presenting classical music in non-traditional venues. As artistic director he has curated and produced over 100 events with Nonclassical, from intimate classical club nights to big orchestral warehouse happenings, mainly in the UK, but also with touring Nonclassical events in USA, Latvia, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, and more.
His live performances of electronics alongside classical ensembles and orchestras, and unique DJ sets appeal to both classical fans who are looking for music that genuinely connects to contemporary life, and electronic music fans who are looking for new directions in electronic music.
Find out more about Gabriel here.
