A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Stutterheim, Joseph

STUTTERHEIM, Joseph, Austrian Field-Marshal-Lieutenant, on whom Beethoven conferred the distinguished honour of dedicating his last Quartet (op. 131), was born at Neustadt, in Moravia, 1764, and died at Lemberg, July 21, 1831. As son of an officer he received a military education, passing through the various grades of the service to that of colonel; for good conduct at the battle of Aspern was promoted to the rank of major-general, and in 1815 to that above named.

In 1824 he was appointed member of the imperial council and much employed in the reorganisation of the army. Here Beethoven's friend Stephan von Breuning, Hofrath in the Ministry of War, became favourably known to him, and was thus able to obtain an appointment for Beethoven's nephew, Carl, in the regiment of which Stutterheim was 'Inhaber.' Beethoven, grateful for this kindness, dedicated the quartet to him.

[ A. W. T. ]