Alexander Knyazev – cello, Russia

  A laureate of a numerous international competitions, Russian Alexander Kniazev is one of the best cellist today. His performances all over the world have been acclaimed by critics and audiences. He was born in Moscow where he began his cello studies at the age of six with Alexander Fedorchenko, graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1986 and then went on to study with the renowned organist Galina Kozlova and graduated from Nizhny-Novgorod Conservatory as an organist in 1991. He has appeared with such distinguished conductors as Evgeny Svetlanov, Yuri Temirkanov, Mstislav Rostropovitch, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Yuri Bashmet, Maxim Shostakovitch and Neemi Jarvi. His chamber music partners include violinist Vadim Repin, pianist Nikolai Lugansky, violinist Viktor Tretyakov, piannist Boris Berezovsky and many others.  As well as performing, he teaches at the Moscow Conservatory and regularly gives master classes in Europe and Asia. His discography includes recordings with Boris Berezovsky, Dmitry Makhtin, Nikolai Lugansky, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, playing some of the greatest cello works from Johann Sebastian Bach, Edward Elgar, Sergei Rachmaninov, Frederic Chopin etc.   Program:   Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Suite no. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008

1. Prélude
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Menuett
6. Menuett
7. Gigue

                                                              Suite no. 3 in D major, BWV 1068

1. Ouverture
2. Air
3. Gavotte
4. Gavotte
5. Bourrée
6. Gigue

                                                              Suite no. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011

1. Prélude
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Gavotte
6. Gavotte
7. Gigue