Batov, Ivan

Batov, Ivan Andreevich

 

Born 1767 in Moscow Province; died June 18 (30), 1841, in St. Petersburg. Russian master craftsman of musical instruments.

A serf of Count N. P. Sheremetev, Batov was given his freedom in 1822 along with his family. He fashioned violins, cellos, violas, and double basses, as well as restored ancient instruments. Batov was the first Russian instrument maker to receive widespread recognition. Both Russian and foreign virtuosos highly valued his instruments. At the 1829 exhibition in St. Petersburg, Batov was awarded the Great Silver Medal for his violin and cello.

REFERENCE

Iampol’skii, I. Russkoe skripichnoe iskusstvo [vol.] 1. Moscow-Leningrad, 1951. Pages 285–90.