Alexander Knaifel (1943-2024) was a distinguished composer born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to a family evacuated from Leningrad. He returned to Leningrad in 1944, where he pursued a profound musical education, attending a special music school and later the Conservatory under the tutelage of Boris Arapov. Initially setting out to be a cellist, Knaifel studied with the legendary Mstislav Rostropovich at the Moscow Conservatory in the early 1960s. His relationship with Rostropovich remained significant throughout his life, with the cellist featuring prominently in Knaifel's works.

Knaifel emerged as a notable figure within the Soviet avant-garde, aligning with contemporaries such as Schnittke, Pärt, Gubaidulina, and Silvestrov. His compositions evolved into a unique, personal idiom characterized by slowly moving, evolving pieces he referred to as "quiet giants," often imbued with spiritual or metaphysical dimensions. His works span a wide spectrum, from opera and ballet to religious compositions and experimental forms like "instrumental theatre" and aleatorics.

Notable works include "Lux Aeterna," "Svete Tikhiy," and "Amicta Sole," with performances by renowned ensembles and artists such as the Keller Quartet and Tatiana Melentieva. His music has been performed and recorded extensively, with releases on ECM Records, and even sampled by pop group Pet Shop Boys. Knaifel's influence extended beyond traditional classical music boundaries, as seen in the electronic remixes of his pieces by Ricardo Villalobos and Max Loderbauer.

Knaifel's compositions often drew inspiration from a diverse array of sources, including literature and religious texts, reflecting his Jewish heritage and interest in Orthodox Christianity and Buddhism. His music was celebrated for its beauty and depth, described by the Frankfurter Rundschau as "one of the most important revelations of recent years." Alexander Knaifel passed away in 2024, leaving behind a rich legacy of innovative and evocative music.