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Tolstoy-Prokofiev Glamour Gives Diplomacy a Boost

by Zoe Strimpel
Tue, 15 Jan 2008 at 9:33 PM

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Relations between Russia and Britain are spiraling downward, with London refusing to close British Council offices in Petersburg and Yekaterinberg on unfriendly Russian orders.

But the exact converse of such enmity is everywhere evident in London, where Russians and Londoners party side by side, and where our megabucks markets from art to property are beholden to the moves of our ex-Soviet friends.

Last night was a case in point. It was the old (pre-revolution) Russian New Year, and there were parties around the capital. One in particular captured that bonhomie between Russians and their chosen playground: a luxurious party in the glam fifth-floor bar of Harvey Nichols (think Neiman Marcus) in Knightsbridge. It was attended by wild-haired, besuited, and bespectacled men and high-heeled, befurred, and bejeweled beauties. Grander still, the hosts were nothing short of Alexandra Tolstoy (yes, Leo's great-granddaughter) and Gabriel Prokofiev (Sergei's grandson).

It stands to reason, then, that the music on the "Russian Dynasty program" was top. Turns out, young Prokofiev is something of a DJ-about-town, jobbing producer, and ambitious composer. A concert pianist of repute, going by the name of GéNIA, played his impressionistic creations, pieces called things such as "Rockaby" and "Tuff Moves." Still, even Gabriel was no match for the Rachmaninoff preludes and his grandfather's Sonata No. 2 in D minor. Later he spun more electronic sounds.

And the food. Lest guests forget this was a Russian party, held to celebrate all things Russian, canapés (some served on icicle-dripping trays) included borscht shots with whipped crème fraîche, Cossack sausage, sturgeon blinis, and Ukrainian meatballs with wild cherries. The star drink had to be the Rose 3d Martini, a whitewash of tart rose essence and vodka with cream, served with a rose petal.

If this is the way Russians party in London, relations at home, at the very least, can only improve.

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