Vladimir Vavilov (composer)

Vladimir Fyodorovich Vavilov (Russian: Владимир Фёдорович Вавилов; May 5, 1925 – March 11, 1973) was a Soviet guitarist, lutenist and composer. While a prolific performer and editor of early music, he is most remembered today for his compositions, many of which were misattributed to other, earlier composers.

Vavilov graduated from the Leningrad Conservatory in 1949 as a guitarist. He was an active concert performer and made numerous recordings. He was also keenly interested in early music and often performed pieces from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

His fame largely rests on pieces he wrote himself but ascribed to anonymous or earlier composers, often to ensure publication and performance in the Soviet Union's restrictive cultural environment. These works gained considerable popularity, in many cases exceeding the recognition of his pieces published under his own name.

Notable examples include:

• "Kanzona" (Canzona): Often attributed to Francesco da Milano, this piece is one of Vavilov's most famous creations. It has been widely recorded and performed under its incorrect attribution.

• "Ave Maria": Commonly attributed to Giulio Caccini, this popular and widely performed piece is almost certainly a Vavilov composition. The exact circumstances of its misattribution are debated, with some suggesting it was a deliberate act on Vavilov's part, while others believe it was a later misattribution by performers or publishers.

• "Ricercare" for lute: Falsely attributed to Nicola Valenti.

The enduring popularity of these misattributed works highlights Vavilov's compositional talent, despite the complexities surrounding their authorship. His music continues to be enjoyed and performed worldwide, though often without proper acknowledgement of his role as the actual composer. The question of Vavilov's motivations behind the misattributions remains a topic of discussion among musicologists.