Although not as famous today as some of his contemporaries, Kuhlau was known as one of the leading pianists and teachers in Denmark during his time. Today, his compositions are still well known in piano pedagogy repertoire, and his piano sonatinas especially are considered “indispensable to the beginner of the piano.” (Horton 117) A total of thirty-eight works by Kuhlau appear in the Freedman Collection, with the majority of these compositions being rondos for fortepiano based on opera themes.
Though Kuhlau is today obscure except for his piano works, he enjoyed notable connections to other influential composers. One of Kuhlau’s most notable connections was to Ludwig van Beethoven, with whom he had an honor of exchanging impromptu canons on one occasion. His connection with the great composer inspired Kuhlau’s last work, the String Quartet in A minor. This work is noted for being influenced by Beethoven’s Quartet op.132, written in the same key. Besides Beethoven’s musical influence on Kuhlau, they enjoyed a lifelong friendship.
Portrait of Friedrich Kuhlau by an unknown artist (19th century). Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.
Karl Joseph Stieler (1781-1858), Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the Missa Solemnis, 1820. Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.