The notion of Russian violin school, in the broad sense, is often associated with the name of Leopold Auer and his disciples. However, few are aware that the violin performing art existed in Russia long before Auer's time and that most characteristics of the Russian violin school had already been formed in the 18th century. The man who stood at the forefront of this formation was Ivan Yevstafievich Khandoshkin. This document explores the historical pre-conditions of the formation of the Russian violin school as well as observes the influence of Russian folk and Western performing traditions in the music by Ivan Khandoshkin. Finally, it provides the author's recommendations on violin performance practice.