Knaifel & Mustonen 150

Two outstanding musicians and Arvo Pärt’s musical companions who celebrate their anniversaries this autumn – Alexander Knaifel (80) and Andres Mustonen (70) – are connected by a long-term friendship and musical affinity. At the joint anniversary concert, Alexander Knaifel’s long-time close musicians Andres Mustonen, Hortus Musicus and the ensemble Vox Clamantis will perform the composer’s most important instrumental and vocal works over the decades. Composer Alexander Knaifel will also be present at the author’s concert.

Composer Alexander Knaifel’s deeply personal work has left a deep mark on music of our times. In the 1970s, together with Alfred Schnittke, Edison Denissov, Valentin Silvestrovi, Sofia Gubaidulina and Arvo Pärt, Knaifel was one of those composers in the Soviet Union at the time, whose avant-garde and religious works were frowned upon by the authorities. Therefore, their active communication and sharing of creative ideas was very important for everyone.