Rodolphe Kreutzer

Caprice No. 2 ; Caprice No. 7

Rodolphe Kreutzer (1766-1831): French violin virtuoso, educator, and composer.

Although he composed about 40 operas and 19 violin concertos, his best known work is the 1796 collection of 42 études ou caprices, still used in the study of the violin. After seeing Kreutzer perform in Vienna, Beethoven dedicated his 9th Violin Sonata to him. Ironically, Kreutzer deemed it unplayable, and never performed the work that has secured his place in music history.

--Intermezzo Sunday Concerts--Premiere Concert, February 26, 2006 (Shiao/Smart: The Kreutzer Project)