Khandoshkin I.E., (1747-1804), violinist, composer

Categories / Art/Music, Theatre/Personalia
Khandoshkin Ivan Evstafyevich (1747, St. Petersburg [?] - 1804, St. Petersburg), master violinist, composer, pedagogue, son of a former serf of Count P.B. Sheremetyev, who was a musician at the Court of Grand Prince Peter Fedorovich. Appointed Court Butler in 1785. Studied music from the age of eight under the Italian chamber-musician Tito Porto. In 1760 he was accepted to the orchestra of the future Emperor Peter III, and in 1762 to the Court Orchestra. In the 1760-80s he played an important role in courtly musical life and in artistic society. He had a powerful patron, Prince G.A. Potemkin, who attempted, but failed, in 1785 to appoint Khandoshkin to the post of Head of the University of Ekaterinberg. He spent some years in Moscow and returned to St. Petersburg in 1788. For the public, Khandoshkin was an unparalleled violinist outshining all other violinists in St. Petersburg: A. Lolli, G.B. Viotti, and I.M. Yarnovich. His skill became legendary. He gave recitals at the Court, in the Music Club, at noble saloons, at theatres, and educational institutions. He authored many violin variations and sonatas in a concerto style full of contrasts, colorful effects, and bright cadences. In 1790 Khandoshkin lived at the Third Part of Ekaterininsky Canal in the wooden residence of Colonel Andreevsky. He was buried at Volkovskoe Cemetery, tomb not preserved. In 1792 D.I. Khvostov dedicated a mock epitaph to Khandoshkin: "Passer-by! Here lies Khandoshkin / Our Orpheus: / Nothing surprising - death has no ears".

Reference: Фесечко Г. Ф. Иван Евстафьевич Хандошкин: Моногр. очерк. Л., 1972.

A. L. Porfiryeva. Khandoshkin Ivan Evstafievich
Khvostov Dmitry Ivanovich
Lolli Antonio
Peter III, Emperor
Potemkin Grigory Alexandrovich, Gracious Prince of Tauride
Sheremetev Peter Borisovich, Count
Viotti Giovanni Battista
Yarnovich Ivan Mane
Музыкальный Петербург: Энцикл. слов. Т. 1: XVIII век. СПб., 1999
Фесечко Г. Ф. Иван Евстафьевич Хандошкин: Моногр. очерк. Л., 1972