Alexey Fydorovich L'vov

L'vov learned to play the violin early in life. He served in the Novgorod government before succeeding his father as the director of the tsar's court choir in 1837. An arrangement of the "Stabat mater" written by Pergolesi brought L'vov some notice. He was asked by the tsar to compose a national anthem the result of which was "Bozhe, tsarya khrani" (God save the tsar). Primary mediums of his own compositions, however, diminished the import of the anthem. He preferred to compose liturgical music and instrumental pieces for the violin. In Leipzig (1840), L'vov earned acclaim from Schumann and audiences having played Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. L'vov's virtuosity even impressed the composer who was conducting that evening. Compositions for the violin by L'vov included twenty four caprices, a violin concerto, and a fantasy "Le duel." The majority of his compositions, however, were devoted to sacred music. Hymns sung during the serving of the eucharist were his favorite and L'vov also arranged a choral piece focusing on the Lord's Prayer. In 1851 he composed a "Stabat mater" which is important because the third part of the composition was composed in the form of a Russian church chant. L'vov also wrote a numer of operas and secular songs. "Bianca und Gualtiero" and "Undina" were his first and second opera both meeting with international favor. ~ Keith Johnson, All Music Guide