Knaifel, Alexander (Aronovich)

Knaifel, Alexander (Aronovich), Russian composer; b. Tashkent, Nov. 28, 1943. He began his training in the special music school at the Leningrad Cons. (1950-61). After attending the Moscow Cons. (1961-63), he studied composition with Arapov at the Leningrad Cons. (1963-67). In his works, Knaifel employs a variety of modern compositional techniques.

Works

dramatic:Kentervilskoe prividenie (The Can-terville Ghost), chamber opera (1965-66); ballets; film scores. orch.:Burleska for Trombone and Strings (1963); Dream, fantasia for Chamber Orch. (1963); 131 for Viola, Double Bass, Winds, and Percussion (1964); Onrush, ballet-sym. (1964); Seekers of the Future City for Strings, Percussion, and Organ (1965); Magdalene Repentant, choreographic scene (1967); Medea, choreographic sym. (1968); Joan, passion for 13 Instrumental Groups (1970-78); Early Cranes (1979); Vera for Strings (1980); Madness for Chamber Orch. (1987); Litania (1988). chamber:Dyad, 2 pieces for Flute, Viola, Piano, and Percussion (1963); Ostinati for Violin and Cello (1964); Disarmament, choreographical striptease for Ensemble (1966); Lamento for Cello (1967); Tournament Music for Horn and Piano (1967); A prima vista for 4 Percussionists (1972); Rafferti for lazz Ensemble (1980); Yes for Soloist and Ensemble (1980); Nika for 17 Players (1983-84); Agnus Dei for 4 Instrumentalists (1987). vocal:Chuck it into My Garden for Chorus and Orch. (1962); Confession for Reader and Percussion Ensemble (1963); Petrograd Sparrows, suite-phantasmagoria for Boy’s Chorus and Chamber Orch. (1967); 150, 000, 000, dithyrambe for Chorus and Chamber Orch. (1968); Monodia for Woman’s Voice (1968); Lenin’s Letter to the Members of the Central Committee for Unison BassChorus (1969); Anna Akhmatova: Midnight Poems for 4 Performers (1972-73); Status Nascendi for 3 Performing Groups (1975); Ainana for Chamber Chorus, Percussion, and Tape (1978); Stupid Horse, 15 stories for Singer and Piano (1981); Accidental for Girl Soloist, Chorus, String Orch., and Organ (1982); Pagan Rock for Bass Chorus, Percussion, and Rock Group (1982); Opposition for Bass Chorus and Orch. (1984); God for 2 Choruses (1985); The Wings of a Lackey, vocal/choreographic fresco (1986); Through the Rainbow of Unwilling Tears for Singer and Cello (1988).