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String Quartet No. 2 in G major, Op. 18 No. 2 “Compliments”

II. Adagio cantabile

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1798–1800 · C major · 92 bars · 177 chords analysed

Its nickname comes from the polite, bowing gestures of the opening theme.

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: C major, G major, F major.