Nine of Beethovenâs ten violin sonatas were composed between 1797-1802. In the first eight, youthful exuberance and confidence dominates, while in the first movement of the Kreutzer Sonata the dramatic temperature is heightened considerably. The sonata was originally dedicated to the violinist George Bridgetower, who also premiered it. However, after Bridgetower insulted one of Beethovenâs female friends, the composer transferred the dedication to Rodolphe Kreutzer, another fine violinist, who unfortunately didnât appreciate the gesture as he thought the work unplayable.
The lyricism of the G major work from 1812 ending the series differs considerably from the fire of the âKreutzerâ and looks forward to Beethovenâs third period.
