Ignaz Freiherr von Gleichenstein (1778-1828) - Lithographie nach einer wohl von Ludwig Ferdinand Schnorr von Carolsfeld stammenden Zeichnung aus dem Jahr 1810, Fotografie, Bonn, um 1985

Baron Ignaz von Gleichenstein originated from an old aristocratic family from the Breisgau area, which possessed large goods in the area near Freiburg. He stayed in Vienna while he was young and first met Ludwig van Beethoven in 1797. He quickly became one of the composer's most loyal friends and advisors. Beethoven valued the baron very much, not only because of his musicality, but also because of his education and kind-heartedness. In 1809, Beethoven dedicated his Sonata in A Major for piano and violincello op. 69 to him.

In May 1811, Ignaz von Gleichenstein married Anna Malfatti. Anna Malfatti was the younger sister of Therese Malfatti, who Beethoven admired very much. Several years later, he returned to his Upper Rhine hometown and only in 1824 came he back to Vienna. Finally, he visited the Danubian metropolis once again in the beginning of 1828, since he hoped to get healed there from a serious disease.(S.B.)