George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower (1779-1860) - Reproduktion einer anonymen Miniatur

Violinist George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower came to London in 1790 where he became first violinist at the chapel of the later King George IV. On a concert trip in 1802 Bridgetower visited the continent and arrived in Vienna one year later where he was friendly welcomed.

Prince Lichnowsky introduced him to Ludwig van Beethoven who quickly composed the sonata in A major for violin, op. 47, for Bridgetower. In May 1803 the piece was performed for the first time by Bridgetower and Beethoven. As there had not been enough time to make a clean copy, Bridgetower had to play the slower movement using Beethoven's handwritten sheet music.

Originally, Beethoven intended to dedicate the sonata to Bridgetower after its publication. However, due to a dispute, he never did so. Instead, the piece was dedicated to French violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer in 1805. Since then, the sonata is known as "Kreutzer Sonata".(S.B.)