Friedrich Wilhelm II., König von Preußen (1744-1797) - Fotografie eines Stiches von Johann Ernst Mansfeld

When Friedrich II died, his nephew Friedrich Wilhelm II became King of Prussia. He governed the kingdom from 1786 until his death in 1797. Like his uncle, Friedrich Wilhelm II was very musical and a passionate chamber musician. Pierre Duport (1741-1808) taught him how to play the cello.

Various chamber music pieces of the late 18th century were dedicated to the art-loving monarch. Joseph Haydn dedicated six string quartets op. 50 in 1787. Two years later Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart dedicated quartets K.V. 575, 589 and 590. Also Ludwig van Beethoven dedicated two pieces: His two sonatas for piano and

violoncello op. 5, published by the Artaria publishing house in Vienna in 1797.(S.B.)