22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Beethoven's String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, 2nd and 3rd Movements
Nicole S. Moore*, Brad J. Knoch, Katheryn E. Kuntz, and Amanda Day
Dr. Brian X. Kubin, Faculty Mentor
Beethoven's Op. 18 is a compilation of his first six string quartets, which were written between 1798 and 1800. These quartets evidence the influences of Haydn and Mozart, both of whom brought the genre of the string quartet into prominence during the Classical Period. Even so, Beethoven's own genius works its way into the established traditions of the time. In the 3rd movement of his String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, one would expect to hear the accent on the first beat of the measure since it is a minuet. We instead hear it on the second or third beat of the measure. Additionally, it is played at a tempo more characteristic of a scherzo. Beethoven further deviates from our expectations in the 2nd movement, a scherzo in which the tempo is moderate and the accent is generally felt on the first beat of the measure.
Keywords: Beethoven, String Quartet, Op. 18, Minuet, Scherzo, Classical, C Minor
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 47-1
Location: OP Performance Hall
Time: 2:45