Beethoven’s third quartet of his Op. 59 quartets is traditional in its four-movement form, but it is also tradition-defying in having as its Finale a fugue, which brings Bach instantly to mind. But what Beethoven devised here is not Bach’s but his own concept of the fugue, for this movement develops in a manner that suggests sonata form with fugal treatment.
The third movement is unusual in being a minuet, not a scherzo, the latter the composer’s muscular trademark substitution for the classical period’s graceful dance form.
To further mystify musicologists, the second movement is a minor-key Andante, quite unlike anything else composed by Beethoven.
Listen now to this amazing quartet for your enjoyment:
