The greatest violin virtuoso of the period, Rudolphe Kreutzer studied with Anton Stamitz and later, with Viotti in Paris. In 1798, Kreutzer went to Vienna and became a close friend with Beethoven. Beethoven's most known sonata, ‘Kreutzer’ was dedicated to Kreutzer, but the great violinist never played it. Kreutzer was appointed professor of the Paris Conservatoire, the position he held for over 30 years. His students included Massart, Lafont and Bazzini.