Alexander Kopylov

Alexander Alexandrovich Kopylov (Александр Александрович Копылов, July 14 1854–20 February 1911) (or "Kopilov") [ [http://www.classical.net/music/composer/dates/comp1.html Classical Net - Composer Data - Statistics & Birthday List ] at www.classical.net] was a Russian composer and violinist. Kopylev was unable to gain entrance to either of the major conservatories in Russia, but was nevertheless able to study composition privately with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Anatoly Liadov after studying for many years as a chorister and violinist in the Imperial Court Choir which was similar and modeled after the more famous one in Vienna, which is today known as the Vienna Boys Choir. Kopylov was to teach there for much of his life. He gained a reputation as a symphonist, and composer of songs but through his friendship with Rimsky-Korsakov became interested in chamber music, writing four string quartets. Of them Wilhelm Altmann, the famous chamber music scholar and critic, writes in his "Handbuch für Streichquartetspieler"::"Kopylov's four carefully written string quartets show an outstanding command of proper quartet style. He gives all of the instruments mutually rich parts to play, alternating in exquisite fashion. His excellence is particularly strong in the sparkling themes. He is able to combine the external beauty of form with effective ideas and distinctive harmonies and rhythms."

A Symphony in C minor, Op.14 and a Concert Overture, Op.31 have been recorded, as have his contributions to some of the Belyayev circle projects such as "Les Vendredis". A copy of his String Quartet No.2 in F, Op.23, published by Belyayev in 1894 and available at Cornell University's library has notations in the margin of the first violin part from a performance with Eugène Ysaÿe.

References

*Some of the information on this page appears on the website of Edition Silvertrust but permission has been granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
*The first two quartets can be downloaded in full score:
**Google books|qQcRAAAAYAAJ|String Quartet No. 1 in G major, op. 15
**Google books|ogcRAAAAYAAJ|String Quartet No. 2 in F major, op. 23

External links

* [http://www.editionsilvertrust.com/kopylov-string-quartet-1.htm Alexander Kopylov String Quartet No.1, Op.15] Soundbites & Information.
* [http://hdl.handle.net/1802/2974 Alexander Kopylov 14 Tableaux musicals de la vie enfantine, Op.53, for piano] Score (from the Sibley Music Library Digital Scores Collection)
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