Beethoven and the Archduke

Beethoven began teaching the piano and composition to Archduke Rudolph of Austria when the latter was still a teenager, and the two forged a long friendship. The Archduke also became an important sponsor of Beethoven, who dedicated several of his compositions – including a piano trio – to him, and Rudolph returned the favour with one of his own compositions. Another German artist of international fame, the singer and composer Margarethe Danzi (née Marchand) studied composition with Leopold Mozart, father of Wolfgang Amadeus, as well as performing across Europe as a leading soprano.

Part of Blackheath International Chamber Music Festival