Franz Brunsvik - Fotografie eines Gemäldes von Heinrich Thugut

The Hungarian Count Anton von Brunsvik (1745�1793) had four children with his wife Anna (1752�1830): Therese, Franz, Josephine and Charlotte. The three eldest � Therese, Franz and Josephine � were very musical and became friends with Ludwig van Beethoven in Vienna around 1799. Count Franz von Brunsvik was a gifted cellist and loved playing in a quartet. He was particularly close to Beethoven and even addressed the composer informally. His friendship with Beethoven was especially close in the years around 1806�1807. During this period, Beethoven dedicated his "Piano Sonata" in F minor, Op. 57, "Appassionata", and the Piano Fantasy in B major, Op. 77, to him. From around 1813, contact between Franz von Brunsvik and Beethoven became less frequent, though the two men remained in correspondence with one another until at least 1814. In 1819, the Count took over the management of the City Theatre in Pest, and shortly afterwards he married Sidonie Justh (1801�1866), a pianist who was causing quite a stir at the time. (S.B.)