Notes: String Quartet No. 13 (1825)

History

String Quartet No. 13 in B♭ major, Op. 130, by Ludwig van Beethoven was completed in November 1825.  The number traditionally assigned to it is based on the order of its publication; it is actually Beethoven's 14th quartet in order of composition.  It was premiered in March 1826 by the Schuppanzigh Quartet.  

The final movement, a massive fugue that runs about 18 minutes, received an unpleasant response.  Beethoven's publisher convinced Beethoven to write a simpler final movement.

The finalized quartet was dedicated to Nikolai Galitzin on its publication in 1827.  It was premiered in April, 1827, a month after Beethoven's death.

A recording of movement 5, the Cavatina, was sent into outer space with the two Voyager probes in 1977.


Music


   String Quartet No. 13 in B♭ major, Op. 130 with Fugue  (1825)   Quatuor Ebène   52:30

           Movement 1:  Adagio, ma non troppo – Allegro (B♭ major)  @ 0:00  =  13:20

           Movement 2:  Presto (Bb minor)  @  13:45  =  02:00

           Movement 3:  Andante con moto, ma non troppo. Poco scherzoso (D♭ major)  @  16:00  =  04:00

           Movement 4:  Alla danza tedesca. Allegro assai (G major)  @  20:10  =  06:05

           Movement 5:  Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo  (E♭ major)  @ 26:50  =  8:00

           Movement 6:   Große Fuge  @ 34:50  =   18:00  (this original final movement was replaced)