Rodolphe Kreutzer (1766-1831) - Aquatintaradierung von Edmé Quenedey nach einer eigenen Zeichnung, Paris, 1809

The French violinist and composer Rodolphe Kreutzer was one of the most famous virtuosos of his time. Since 1795 he had been professor at the Paris Conservatory, and from 1801 to 1821 he was concertmaster and director of music of the Paris Opera. At this time, Kreutzer wrote about 40 operas and numerous works for violine. In 1803, he published together with Jacques Pierre Joseph Rode and Pierre Marie François Baillot the "Méthode de violon" ("System for the violin"), which soon after had become the official manual of exercises for the violin at the Paris Conservatory. Kreutzer got to know Ludwig van Beethoven during his visit to Vienna in 1798. Beethoven later on wrote about the French violinist, that he was "a good and nice person, it was indeed a pleasure to spend time with him". Seven years later (1805), Beethoven dedicated the Violin Sonata in A Major, op. 47 to Rodolphe Kreutzer, which was later on - due to this affection - also called "Kreutzer-Sonate". (S.B.)