Zar Aleksandr I., Zar von Russland (1777-1825) - Stich von Meno Haas nach einem Gemälde von Gerhard von Kügelgen, Berlin, um 1815-1820

One of Napoleon's strongest adversaries and one of the most relevant political figures of Beethoven's time was Russian Tsar Alexander I. Educated in the tradition of enlightenment and open towards liberal ideas, Alexander combined the European sense of commission with the Russian striving for power in his politics.

When the Tsar stayed in Vienna during the Vienna Congress, Ludwig van Beethoven was presented to him. Earlier, the composer had dedicated three sonatas for piano and violin, op. 30, to Alexander which the Tsar still remembered in the 1820s. Later, Alexander I was one of the ten subscribers to the "Missa Solemnis".(S.B.)