Stepan Davydov (1777-1825)
DAVYDOV, Stepan Ivanovich (b. 1777; d. 10 [22] May 1825, Moscow) — studied at the Imperial Court Chapel under G. Sarti; from 1800–1804 and 1806–10 served as the kapellmeister of the Theatrical School in St. Petersburg. After moving to Moscow, served in various theatrical institutions. Composed operatic and theater music, ballets, instrumental works, arrangements of folk songs and dances, etc.
Davydov’s sacred musical works include ten four-voice concerti, three concerti for double chorus, a complete Liturgy (eight numbers) for four voices, and a trio “Eis polla”; (his complete collected sacred musical works, edited by K. Albrecht, were published by P. Jurgenson). The style of Davydov’s choral writing is essentially Western European, characterized by vigorous rhythm, bold harmonic movement, graceful vocal ornamentation — qualities, as a result of which Davydov’s sacred music was judged by many critics to be inappropriate for the liturgy.
