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String Quartet No. 13 in B♭ major, Op. 130

V. Adagio molto espressivo — Cavatina

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1825 · E♭ major · 66 bars · 188 chords analysed

Six movements, including the heartfelt Cavatina. It originally ended with the enormous Grosse Fuge, which Beethoven later replaced with a lighter finale.

Beethoven's 16 string quartets trace his whole life. The six of Op. 18 (1798–1800) master the classical style he inherited from Haydn and Mozart; the middle quartets stretch it; the late quartets (1825–26), written when he was completely deaf, are among the most searching music ever composed.

Keys visited: E♭ major, C minor, C♭ major, A♭ minor.