16th Quartet, Opus 135, in F Major
Allegretto—Vivace—Lento assai—Grave ma non troppo tratto.
This quartet is on a much smaller scale. The opening movement, whilst characteristic of the third period, is easily comprehended. The subject of the slow movement is one of Beethoven’s most beautiful melodies, and the Finale commences with the famous musical motto—
“Must it be?
It must be”
founded on a little altercation with his cook.
The movement is characterised by some very perverse part-writing.
These final quartets present many problems, even to the most profound students of Beethoven’s works.