Rudolph, Erzherzog von Österreich (1788-1831), seit 1819 Kardinal und Erzbischof von Olmütz - Anonyme Lithographie, Mitte 19. Jahrhundert?

Archduke Rudolph of Austria was the youngest son of Emperor Leopold II and the brother of Emperor Franz I. In 1819, he was elected Cardinal and Archbishop of the City of Olmuetz. The archduke was an excellent pianist. From time to time, he composed himself and he admired the music of Ludwig van Beethoven in a very passionate way. He had been a close friend as well as the most important patron of the composer for many years.

When Beethoven was offered the position as bandmaster of the court orchestra in Kassel in 1809, Archduke Rudolph - together with Prince Kinsky and Lobkowitz - paid the composer an annuity of 4000 fl. to induce him to stay in Vienna. Beethoven gave the archduke piano lessons and he was his only student to whom he taught the art of composition. In 1818, he composed a song for his student to the text of "O hope you toughen the hearts, you ease the pains" (WoO 200). The archduke wrote 40 versions of this song. On January 1 in 1819, Beethoven thanked the archduke for sending him the composition, calling it a "masterpiece".

Beethoven dedicated more works to his valued student and patron than to anyone else. Among other pieces, he dedicated the piano concertos op. 58 and 73 to him, the piano sonata "Les Adieux" op. 81 a, the "Hammerklaviersonate" op. 106 and the trio in B Major for piano, violin and violoncello op. 97. On the occasion of the ceremonial inauguration of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmuetz in March 1820, Beethoven composed his "Missa solemnis". But he did not finish this composition on time for the performance at the ceremony.(S.B.)