„To hear the eternal in the transitory, the supreme in the accidental, far from any pathos - is the message of Knaifel's unique art“ - Music Academy journal Alexander Knaifel (born 1943) is one of the most eminent modern composers living in Russia today. He defines himself as being “a citizen of Saint Petersburg” - the city of his heart. Knaifel lists Mstislav Rostropovich, the poet Sergei Vakulenko and Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh amongst his teachers. Alexander Knaifel is the author of more than 100 works which defy all conventional genres. His creative genius transformed from the rebellious complexity of the avant-garde and the clarity of film music, and he has now established an international name for creating his unique sacred language of music. His music is free of everything non-essential and irrelevant and it immerses listeners into a meditative space, cleansing the soul of the sediments of ordinary life.