Beethoven completed his String Quartet in C# Minor in May 1826. He may have heard it in a private performance before he died, but it was apparently not played publically until 1835.
Beethoven’s long evolving experiments with directing the flow of an entire work towards its end find perhaps their fullest fruits in Op. 131, cast in seven sections played without pause. These seven sections, however, are basically the four conventional movements with a fugal introduction and two connecting interludes.
Despite the minor mode, the opening Adagio is more contemplative than sorrowing. It ends with an ascending C-sharp octave leap, which is bumped up a half-step to launch the ensuing fleet Allegro molto vivace. This sunny and rhythmically lively section has the tempo and extroverted character of a typical first movement, but none of the tension or drama.
The third section is a brief ensemble recitative that sets up the slow movement, a ravishingly expressive set of variations – in different meters and tempos – on the sequentially yearning theme presented by the violins
The whirlwind Presto that follows is in effect the work’s scherzo, a seemingly cheerful movement that is constantly on the edge of technical disaster, with odd “molto poco adagio” sections, and a coda that begins with glassy sul ponticello (on the bridge) whistling.
The brooding Adagio sixth section introduces the furious finale, the only full sonata form in this Quartet.
Here for your enjoyment is the Beethoven String Quartet Opus 131:
