Alexander Kopylov

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Alexander Alexandrovich Kopylov (Александр Александрович Копылов, July 14, 1854–20 February 1911) (or Kopilov) ([1]) 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.

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