Kreutzer probably never performed the sonata publicly and the composer Berlioz reported that he called it “outrageously unintelligible.” The dedication of Beethoven’s violin sonata was only a minor event at a time when Kreutzer was composing more and concertizing less.īeethoven’s last-minute dedication to Kreutzer was made after the sonata was completed and premiered. 47, to Kreutzer, the violinist wasn’t told ahead of time. Beethoven did appreciate Kreutzer’s playing, writing, “I prefer his modesty and natural behavior to all the exterior without any interior, which is characteristic of most virtuosos.” When Beethoven dedicated the Violin Sonata in A major, Op. Not much is known about their relationship but the two men don’t appear to have been close.

Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonataīeethoven first met Kreutzer in 1798. In a twist of fate, his name ended up on not just one but three major works of art (and many minor ones) that spanned more than 100 years and explored love, murder, religion, social issues, and more.

Yet his popularity began to wane even before his death and he would be little remembered today if it wasn’t for Beethoven’s sonata. Kreutzer also composed many works for the stage, and he went on to become chief conductor and later music director of the Paris Opéra. When Beethoven dedicated his ninth violin sonata to Rodolphe Kreutzer in 1805, the violinist was already internationally renowned for his virtuosity and celebrated for a new style of violin playing characterized by a full tone and legato (singing) style.

The kreutzer sonata by leo tolstoy