Orthodox Sacred Music Reference Library
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Shvedoff, Constantine
Constantine Nikolayevich Shvedoff (b. 1886, Moscow; d. 1954, USA) was one of the younger members of the New Russian Choral School that formed around the Moscow Synodal School of Church Singing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a graduate of the Synodal School, Shvedoff had observed and experienced first-hand the renaissance of Russian Orthodox church music in a national style, promulgated the famous “triumvirate” of the Synodal School: Stepan Smolensky (1848–1909), the School’s director from 1889 to 1901; Alexander Kastalsky (1856–1926), whose works were the first to embody this style in the most salient fashion; and Vasily Orlov (1856-1907), the director of the Synodal Choir under whole talented leadership many works were premiered. In his own compositions, Shvedov strived to add to the rich creative output of sacred choral works produced by his contemporaries, among whom were Pavel Chesnokov, Alexander Gretchaninoff, Alexander Nikolsky, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. His works range from austere chant harmonizations in two and three parts, in which the folk-song element prevails, to more innovative opuses, such as his sacred concerto “Blago yest ispovedatisia” (It is good to give thanks),which combines fugal writing (a device rarely used by Russian church composers), the rich harmonic style of the Russian choral school, and a touch of chromatic “orientalism” found in the secular works of the Mighty Five. After the 1917 Revolution, Shvedoff obtained a position as choirmaster and condutor at the music studio of the Moscow Art Theater. In the early 1920s, during a tour to Europe and the United States, he decided not to return to the Soviet Union. After 1925, he lived in the US, where he directed a church choir and continued to write choral works, including a number of arrangements for the famous Don Cossack Choir, directed by fellow Synodal School alumnus, Serge Jaroff.
33 results found
Blago est' ispovedatisia Gospodevi
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
S. Op.9
Sacred concerto
S(div)AT(div)B(div)
PJu #34318 n.d.
First printed edition
7
Sh009
-
MR Sh009
-
Quobuz-Sh009
Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen
S. Op.7
Communion Hymn for the Departed
Ps. 64[65]:5; 101[102]:13
S(div)AT(div)B(div)
PJu #34316 n.d.
First printed edition
7
Sh007
-
MR Sh007
-
Quobuz-Sh007
Let our mouths be filled
N. O. N.
SAT(div)B(div)
P. Ju. #38291 [1917]
First printed edition
Defective original
4
Sh031
-
Quobuz-Sh031
Theotokion-Dogmatikon in the Third Tone
S. Op.1
Znamenny Chant
Kako ne divimsia
TB
PJu #34309 n.d.
First printed edition
3
Sh001
Theotokion-Dogmatikon in the Second Tone
S. Op.2
Znamenny Chant
Preide sen' zakonnaia
TTB
PJu #34310 n.d.
First printed edition
2
Sh002
Theotokion-Dogmatikon in the Fifth Tone
S. Op.3
Znamenny Chant
V Chermnem mori
TTB
PJu #34311 n.d.
First printed edition
3
Sh003
It is truly meet
S. Op.14
Hymn to the Mother of God
S(div)AT(div)B(div)
PJu #35393 n.d.
First printed edition
Defective original
2
Sh014
-
Quobuz-Sh014
Cherubic Hymn
S. Op.13
Izhe kheruvimy
S(div)AT(div)B(div)
PJu #35392 n.d.
First printed edition
11
Sh013
-
MR Sh013
-
Quobuz- Sh013
Liturgiia Sv. Ioanna Zlatoustago [No. 1]
Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
N.O.N.
PJu #36676-88 n.d.
First printed edition
75
Sh017-029
-
MR Sh027
13
No. 13 - Khvalite Gospoda s nebes
Praise the Lord from the heavens
N. O. N.
SA(div)T(div)B(div)
8
Sh029
-
Quobuz-Sh004