Kreutzer, Rodolphe. (1766-1831)

Autograph Letter

Autograph letter from the French violinist, teacher, conductor, and composer of forty operas. 1 p., n.d. Translated from the French: "My dear Berton, I have learned that there were several violins from the Opera who were at the party on Monday. If you could put my brother in there I would appreciate it greatly; he more than anybody needs to earn some money." Together with a vintage photographic reproduction of a portrait of Kreutzer. Fine. Letter 4.25 x 6.75 inches (11 x 17 cm), portrait mounted to 7.75 x 11 inches (19.7 x 28.3 cm).

The French violinist and composer was one of the most famous and influential virtuosos of his time. From 1795 he was professor at the Paris Conservatory, and from 1801 to 1821 he was concertmaster and director of music of the Paris Opera. At this time, Kreutzer wrote about 40 operas and numerous works for violin. In 1803, he published together with Jacques Pierre Joseph Rode and Pierre Marie François Baillot the "Méthode de violon" ("System for the violin"), which soon after had become the official manual of exercises for the violin at the Paris Conservatory. Kreutzer befriended Ludwig van Beethoven during his visit to Vienna in 1798 and Beethoven later wrote that he was "a good and nice person, it was indeed a pleasure to spend time with him". Seven years later (1805), Beethoven dedicated his Violin Sonata in A Major, op. 47 to Rodolphe Kreutzer, now known as the "Kreutzer-Sonate". (16554)


Autograph Letter
Classical Music