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String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130 – Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven would complete the first version of this string quartet in 1826 at the age of 56. The premiere of this version of the quartet took place the same year in Vienna with the quartet being dedicated to Nikolai Galitzin, a Russian aristocrat and patron of Beethoven.
The first version of this quartet was comprised of six movements, with the final movement being a ‘Große Fuge’ (Grand Fugue) of considerable length. The public reception to the premiere in March of 1826 made it clear to Beethoven’s publishers that the final movement was too long and intricate compared to the rest of the quartet. At their behest Beethoven removed the fugue, giving it its own publication number (Grande Fugue Op. 133) and composing a new simple final movement, an allegro in B flat major.
By age 56, Beethoven was almost entirely deaf and would have intermittent bouts of fever, jaundice and difficulty moving due to swollen and arthritic limbs. Beethoven had never married, and the closest person he would ever have to a son was his nephew Karl, a troubled young man who attempted to commit suicide in 1826, which fortunately failed. The relationship between Beethoven and his sister-in-law Johanna van Beethoven (mother of Karl) was not pleasant, and it is clear from correspondence from both Beethoven and Johanna that they never felt like family.
Despite the tragic family circumstances and the debilitating medical issues Beethoven would experience towards the end of his life, the new ending for his string quartet No. 13 would be a brisk and joyous contradance (country dance). Much like the ending to his 9th symphony, Beethoven would show his defiance to ‘fate’ (as he would call it) through is music, turning pain and suffering into music of incredible beauty and optimism. It would seem Beethoven never forgot the declaration he made to himself in 1802 when he was first told he was going deaf:
“(He will) seize Fate by the throat, it shall certainly not crush me completely”.
The new 6th movement to this quartet would be the final work Beethoven would compose before his death in March of 1827.
The new version of this quartet (which is the recording you are listening to) is comprised of six movements:
I. Adagio, ma non troppo – Allegro 00:00
II. Presto 13:11
III. Andante con moto, ma non troppo. Poco Scherzando 15:04
IV. Alla danza tedesca. Allegro assai 21:23
V. Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo 24:35
VI. Allegro 30:09
Category | Music |
Sensitivity | Normal - Content that is suitable for ages 16 and over |
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