Alexander Knyazev is one of the most charismatic musicians of his generation performing as celloist and organist. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory as celloist (class of Prof. A. Fedorchenko) and the Nizhny Novgorod Conservatory as organist (class of Prof. G. Kozlova).
A. Knyazev received international recognition on the Olympus of cello music after becoming the winner of prestigious competitions including Tchaikovsky Contest in Moscow, UNISA in the Republic of South Africa, Cassado competition in Florence.
As a cello player he performed with the best orchestras of the world, among them the London Philarmonic orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony orchestra, the Bucharest Radio Symphony orchestra, orchestras of the Prague and Czech Philharmonics, the Orchestre National de France, NHK Symphony, Orchestre de Paris, the Luxemburg Orchestra, the Svetlanov Symphony orchestra, the Tchaikovsky Symphony orchestra, Moscow Philarmonic Orchestra, Russian National orchestra, chamber ensembles, such as Virtuosy of Moscow, The Moscow Soloists and Musica viva.
He worked with such distinguished musicians, as K. Masur, Y. Svetlanov, Y. Temirkhanov, M. Rostropovich, V. Fedoseev, M. Gorenshtein, Y. Bashmet, V. Spivakov, A. Vedernikov, N. Alekseev, G. Rinkevičius, F. Mastrangelo, M. Voskresensky, Y. Kisin, N. Lugansky, D. Matsuev, E. Oganesyan, P. Mangovoy, K. Skanavy, A.Daumain, V. Tretyakov, V. Repin, S. Stadler, S. Krylov, A. Baeva, M. Brunello, A. Rudin, A.Nikolet. he frequently plays in trio with B. Berezovsky and D. Makhtin.
His concerts are successively performed in Germany, Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Australia, the USA, etc.
A. Knayzev took part in a number of international festivals, which include “The December Nights”, Art-November”, D. Shostakovich Festival in Saint Petersburg, “The Baikal Stars”, “Radio France”, “La Roque-d'Antheron”, Schloss Elmau, Salzburg Festival, “The Prague Autumn”, Enesku festival in Bucharest, and many others.
In 1995-2005 A. Knyazev was a professor of the Moscow Conservatory. Presently, he gives master classes in France, Germany, Spain, South Korea, etc.
In 2005 he received the Ecko Klassik prize for the record of Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich music performed in trio with B. Berezovsky (piano) and D. Makhtin (violin). In 2006 he also received Echo Klassik for his Tchaikovsky records with Academy Chamber Choir led by K.Orbelyan (Warner Classics), and in 2007 he was awarded the Echo prize for his CD with sonatas by Chopin and Rachmaninoff recorded with N. Lugansky.
In 2008-2009 he released albums with the music by Mozart, Brahms, Dvorak, featuring Y. Milkis, V. Afanasyev, the Tchaikovsky Symphony orchestra led by V. Fedoseev.
Not so long ago A. Knyazev released the Anthology of music for cello by A. Reger, featuring E. Oganesyan (piano), which was the world premiere, as well as CD with Bloch’s “Schelomo” by Ernest Bloch led By Svetlanov with Brilliant classics lable (the record was made in 1998 at the Great Concert Hall).
As organist A. Knyazev successfully performs in Russia and abroad with his recitals and pieces for organ and orchestra.
In 2008-2009 A. Knyazev toured various cities of Russia and Ukraine with his recitals. He debuted at the well known Riga Cathedral. In 2009 A. Knyazev gave a recital at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, while playing concerto for cello and organ by Haydn in Saint Petersburg with the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
The same year Knyazev released his first CD with organ music with the well know organ Walker at the Riga Cathedral.
In 2010-2011 he gave a recital at the famous Dario France Festival in Montpellier that was broadcasted live all around Europe.
Central role in his repertoire is given to Bach’s music. As A. Knyazev explains it, “My attempt is to find the interpretation of music which primarily should be living. I think that, Bach’s music is so much modern for its being genius. We should never make it “a museum”.
Of it”. He made exclusive projects including cello suites and their CD record, six trio sonatas for organ and “The Art of Fuga” cycle.
