>>9
You make a good point, but you omitted this part of the wikipedia article:
"However, the fugue was so demanding of contemporary performers and unpopular with audiences that Beethoven's publisher, Matthias Artaria, urged him to write a new finale for the string quartet. Beethoven, although notorious for his stubborn personality and indifference to public opinion or taste, acquiesced to his publisher's request on this occasion. He composed a replacement finale in late 1826."

Other people's opinions do matter. Life is about maintaining a balance between your individuality and the desires of others. Even Beethoven recognized this.