Abbé Maximilian Stadler (1748-1833) - Stich von Johann Baptist Pfitzer aus dem Jahr 1813, u.U. nach einer eigenen Zeichnung, Fotografie, Wien, um 1925?

Maximilian Stadler was born as a baker's son in Melk. He chose a clerical career and first became priest at the monastery Benediktinerstift Melk and then abbot in Kremsmünster in 1798. Later he worked as parson in Vienna's suburb Altlerchenfeld and Böhmisch-Krut.

In the final decade of the 18th century and from 1815 on Stadler lived in Vienna where he studied musical art and made himself a name as composer. His own works are strongly influenced by the musical tradition before Beethoven's time. Stadler was even known to be against Beethoven's style. Despite this the two composers seem to have liked each other. In 1803 Beethoven intended to dedicate the abbot his so-called "Eroica variations" in E flat major (op. 35). Beethoven's canon "Signor Abate" (WoO 178) was probably dedicated to Stadler as well.(S.B.)