Composer Alexander Knaifel has Died, Aged 80

Knaifel was one of the foremost composers of post-Soviet Russia, and was known for his minimalist works with sacred texts

The Soviet composer Alexander Kneifel, who was one of the foremost Russian composers of the post-Soviet period, passed away at the age of 80.

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then a part of the Soviet Union) in 1943, Knaifel went to Russia to study the cello with Mstislav Rostropovich at the Moscow Conservatory, and then composition with Boris Arapov in Leningrad. A hand injury ended his cello-playing career, but Rostropovich would perform and record his works in years to come.

Knaifel moved into Soviet avant-garde circles, associating with composers such as Schnittke, Pärt, Gubaidulina, and Silvestrov. He found early success with his opera The Ghost of Canterville, written in 1965 while he was still a student.

Throughout the 1970s, his work became more experimental which led to clashes with Soviet authorities. These came to a head in 1979 following the Cologne premiere of his piece A Prima Vista, which was deemed unacceptable on account of its improvisatory techniques.

Following this, Knaifel found it much more difficult to have his works performed in Russia, so he turned to film music — eventually contributing to more than 40 films.

His later works share much in common with those of the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Both composers were strongly inspired by the Orthodox church later in their lives and composed meditative, minimalist works often featuring religious texts. Knaifel referred to these long, slow works as his "quiet giants."

Our condolences to Knaifel's family, friends, and colleagues.