13th Quartet, Opus 130, in B flat.
Dedicated to Count Nicolas von Galitzen.
Adagio ma non troppo—Allegro—Presto—Andante con moto—Danza alla tedesca—Cavatina—Finale.
This quartet, written in 1825, is one of Beethoven's longest, and contains six movements. The opening piece carries its Adagio introduction through all the appearances of the Allegro subject. The second subject is of wonderful beauty. The development section very short. The unusual Presto in B flat minor very succinct; is the nearest approach to Brahms. The Andante is really a Scherzo treated like an Andante in form. The third movement is cast in the rhythm of a German country dance; the theme is varied on its re-appearance. The famous Cavatina has a remarkable beklemmt (fear) episode and a wonderful Bebung chord at the close. The lovely second subject of The Finale has been used by Borodin as a theme in the Finale of his Second Quartet. There is a very proper little Fugue in the development portion. The original Finale was published separately as Opus 133; it is a terrificly long-drawn Fugue and is regarded as almost incomprehensible by even the most ardent admirers of Beethoven's third style.