Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Lithuania

Birth

:

June 5, 1798 in Reval, Estonia

Death

:

December 28, 1870 in Kaunas, Lithuania

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Alexey Fydorovich Lvov was a prominent Russian composer of the classical music era. He was born on December 25, 1798, in Reval, which is now known as Tallinn, Estonia. His father, Fyodor Lvov, was a Russian diplomat, and his mother, Anna Lvova, was a talented musician who played the piano and sang. Alexey was the youngest of their three children. Alexey's musical education began at an early age. His mother taught him to play the piano, and he showed a natural talent for music. When he was eight years old, his family moved to St. Petersburg, where he continued his musical studies. He studied with some of the best teachers in the city, including the composer and pianist Johann Nepomuk Hummel. In 1815, at the age of 17, Alexey entered the Imperial School of Jurisprudence, where he studied law. However, he continued to pursue his musical interests and composed several works during his time at the school. In 1819, he graduated from the school and began working as a civil servant in the Ministry of Justice. Despite his busy schedule, Alexey continued to compose music. In 1820, he composed his first opera, "The Brigand," which was well-received by audiences. He also composed several songs and piano pieces during this time. In 1822, Alexey married Princess Yekaterina Gagarina, who was a talented musician herself. She played the piano and sang, and the couple often performed together. They had four children together, but only one survived to adulthood. In 1828, Alexey was appointed the director of the Imperial Chapel, which was responsible for providing music for the Russian Orthodox Church. He held this position for 25 years and composed many works for the chapel, including liturgical music and hymns. One of Alexey's most famous works is the hymn "God Save the Tsar," which he composed in 1833. The hymn became the national anthem of Russia and was used until the Russian Revolution in 1917. Alexey also composed several other patriotic works, including "The Russian Anthem" and "The March of the Preobrazhensky Regiment." In addition to his work for the Imperial Chapel, Alexey composed several operas, including "The Water Nymph," "The Magic Ring," and "The Enchanted Castle." He also composed several instrumental works, including symphonies, string quartets, and piano sonatas. Alexey was known for his melodic and lyrical style, which was influenced by the music of Mozart and Haydn. He was also influenced by Russian folk music, which he incorporated into many of his works. In 1853, Alexey retired from his position at the Imperial Chapel and moved to his estate in the countryside. He continued to compose music, but his output slowed down in his later years. He died on December 28, 1870, at the age of 72. Alexey Fydorovich Lvov was a talented composer who made significant contributions to the classical music of Russia. His works, including "God Save the Tsar," continue to be celebrated and performed today.

More....