St Petersburg, Shostakovich Hall: Gabriel Prokofiev's Cello Concerto

Abstract

When Gabriel Prokofiev first came to prominence in the UK, comparisons were inevitably made with his famous grandfather. Gabriel has since forged a distinctive musical identity for himself, making the shared name all but irrelevant. But in Russia that name carries even greater significance, so it was little surprise that the world première of Gabriel's Cello Concerto in Saint Petersburg, on 18 May, was in a concert that included at least two Prokofievs. In fact, a third Prokofiev was also featured, as the event began with poetry by Oleg: Gabriel's father and Sergei's son.