Ivan Khandoshkin (1747--1804), Sonata for violin solo in G minor, Op. 3, No. 1: Background, performance edition, and commentary

Ivan Khandoshkin (1747--1804) was an important figure in Russian music history. Immensely popular in his time, Khandoshkin was the first outstanding Russian violin virtuoso who, as a composer, made essential contributions to the violin repertoire of the late eighteenth century. Little is known or has been written about Khandoshkin outside of Russia, and even within his native country he is overshadowed by some of his more famous contemporaries. This document offers a summary of Khandoshkin's scant biographical details and his musical style as presented by Russian scholars much of this information was not previously available in English. The document then focuses on his Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 3, No. 1 in G minor, offering a new edition and a guide to its performance. This substantial sonata is technically challenging and strikingly expressive, from a funeral march-like first movement to an Allegro dance movement and concluding with an elaborate set of theme and variations. It is hoped that the performance edition of Khandoshkin's sonata will be of interest to violinists looking for worthwhile works beyond the mainstream repertoire.