Friedrich Wilhelm III., König von Preußen (1770-1840) - Stich von Willem van Senus nach einem vielleicht von Karl Franz Jacob Heinrich Schumann stammenden Gemälde

Friedrich Wilhelm III governed Prussia from 1797 until 1840. It is possible that he met Beethoven in 1796 when the young composer visited Berlin. He probably met Beethoven again in 1814 when the Prince stayed in Vienna for the Vienna Congress.

A good ten years later, Friedrich Wilhelm III became one of the subscribers of Beethoven"s "Missa Solemnis". In 1826 Beethoven dedicated his Ninth Symphony in D minor, op. 125, to the Prince. (Originally, Beethoven intended to dedicate the symphony to Russian Tsar Alexander I but Alexander died on December 1st, 1825.) In a letter to the composer, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm III thanked Beethoven for the symphony and promised to send him a diamond ring. Much to his disappointment, Beethoven did not receive the promised precious piece but a far less expensive ring with a reddish gem. (S.B.)