Ignaz von Gleichenstein

Alongside Countess Marie Erdödy, Gleichenstein played a role in securing Beethoven a lifetime annuity from members of the Austrian high nobility.

Two years later, Gleichenstein played a significant role in helping to sway members of the Imperial nobility to granting Beethoven a lifelong annuity in an effort to induce him to remain in Austrian lands in the face of an offer of employment as Kapellmeister in Cassel, from Jerome, King of Westphalia.

[4]"The Countess Erdödy is of the opinion that you ought to outline a plan with her," wrote Beethoven to Gleichenstein early in 1809, "according to which she might negotiate in case they[5] approach her, which she is convinced they will...

"[1][6] Negotiations resulted in Beethoven signing a contract with princes Lobkowitz, Kinsky and the Archduke Rudolf (in which they promised to pay him a regular stipend for life), his rejection of the Cassel post, and his remaining in Vienna until his death in 1827.

As reported by Julius Schneller, a friend of the family, Beethoven furnished the first edition copy intended for Gleichenstein with the inscription: "Inter Lacrimas et Luctum" (Between tears and grief).

The newly-wed couple moved to Freiburg and Oberrotweil in the summer of the same year to take over and oversee the administration of the von Gleichenstein family winery.

On 3 August 1828, Ignaz von Gleichenstein died in the village of Heiligenstadt, north of Vienna, having been attended by Beethoven's own physician, Johann Malfatti.