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String Quartet No. 5 in A major, Op. 18 No. 5

IV. Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1798–1800 · A major · 304 bars · 567 chords analysed

Modelled closely on Mozart's quartet in the same key, K. 464.

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: A major, E major, F♯ minor, C♯ minor, D major, D minor, C minor, C major, A minor.