{"product_id":"chapter-eight","title":"Chapter Eight","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChapter Eight\u003c\/strong\u003e is an amazing composition for church, choruses, and cello imbued with a deep sense of beauty, as noted by Mstislav Rostropovich. The music is based on the Old Testament Song of Songs, The Song of Solomon, and was conceived by Russian composer \u003cstrong\u003eAlexander Knaifel\u003c\/strong\u003e (1943-2024) as a \"\u003cem\u003ecommunity prayer\u003c\/em\u003e\" to be realized in the most reverberant church acoustics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe subtle blending of sounds is central to this work, described by Knaifel as \"\u003cem\u003ewithout plot or drama\u003c\/em\u003e\", yet filled with mystery. Cellist \u003cstrong\u003ePatrick Demenga\u003c\/strong\u003e renounces a soloist's role to surrender to the combined utterances of three choirs, under the direction of Estonian conductor \u003cstrong\u003eAndres Mustonen\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the pervading atmosphere of the church. The album was recorded in Lucerne’s Jesuitenkirche, known for its exceptional acoustic properties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlexander Knaifel\u003c\/strong\u003e was born in 1943 in Tashkent, studied with Mstislav Rostropovich at the Moscow Conservatory, and became one of the most important Russian composers of his generation after shifting his focus from cello studies to composition. He passed away in June 2024 at the age of 80.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ECM","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":51524103405899,"sku":"R8957-0553","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/4859853_f0660baa-61c6-4a27-a839-02e16df7549e.jpg?v=1752238924","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/products\/chapter-eight","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}