The Art of Listening

The first of Beethoven’s late quartets, Op. 127 in E-flat postdates both the Ninth Symphony (Op. 125) and the Missa Solemnis (Op. 123). In fact, all the major works completed during the last two/three years of the composer’s life are for string quartet.

While Op. 127 may be viewed as the most ‘traditional’ of these last works – it has four movements in sonata, variation and scherzo forms – it still contained enough innovative writing to baffle most contemporary audiences.

Now, since we’re accustomed to Beethoven’s late style, it poses no such problems: here it is:

0:00 Maestoso – Allegro
8:08 Adagio ma non troppo e molto cantabile
24:57 Scherzando vivace
33:28 Finale (Allegro)

Score

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