Pastoral 21 is a music and sound experience that asks what ‘pastoral’ means to us in this time of climate crisis. The project features English composer, producer, and DJ, Gabriel Prokofiev— grandson of Sergei Prokofiev—and the UNLTD Collective.
In early 2020—just before the world shut down due to Covid-19—Gabriel Prokofiev explored the Valaisan alps as a starting point for a response to Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony. Taking a cue from the great 19th century composer, who drew inspiration from the Viennese countryside, Prokofiev searched for and captured field recordings of nature’s interrupted tranquillity, which were later integrated into Pastoral Reflections, a new work for string sextet and live electronics. From there, the Pastoral 21 project was born.
Through a fusion of electronic and classical music, Pastoral 21 explores themes of consumerism, digital life and impending crisis through Prokofiev’s thoroughly modern response to Beethoven, alongside music from the boundary-pushing composer’s latest album, Breaking Screens.
UNLTD is a creativity spark plug—an inventive concept powered by the Verbier Festival that aims to disrupt norms, push boundaries, and awaken musical curiosity. It shines a spotlight on emerging talent and engaging interactive performances with cross-generational appeal. The UNLTD Collective is made up of alumni of the Verbier Festival Academy, who come together to develop and present innovative original projects across Europe and beyond.
