Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

String Quartet

Compose Date

:

Oct 26, 1827

Publication Date

:

1830

Average_duration

:

30:48

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Felix Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13, was composed in 1827 when he was just 18 years old. It premiered on February 17, 1829, in Berlin, with the composer himself playing the viola part. The quartet is in four movements and has a total duration of approximately 30 minutes. The first movement, marked Adagio - Allegro vivace, begins with a slow and melancholic introduction in A minor, featuring a mournful melody played by the first violin. The Allegro vivace section that follows is in sonata form and is characterized by its lively and energetic nature. The movement is full of contrasts, with the melancholic and introspective moments of the introduction contrasting with the joyful and playful themes of the Allegro vivace. The second movement, marked Adagio non lento, is a slow and lyrical piece in F-sharp minor. It features a beautiful and expressive melody played by the first violin, accompanied by the other instruments in a delicate and understated manner. The movement is notable for its emotional depth and its use of chromatic harmonies. The third movement, marked Intermezzo: Allegretto con moto - Allegro di molto, is a scherzo-like piece in A major. It is characterized by its playful and rhythmic nature, with the instruments engaging in a lively and intricate dialogue. The trio section, marked Allegro di molto, is more subdued and features a beautiful melody played by the first violin. The final movement, marked Presto, is a fast and energetic piece in A minor. It is in sonata form and features a lively and virtuosic theme played by the first violin. The movement is full of energy and excitement, with the instruments engaging in a lively and intricate dialogue. The coda is particularly notable for its use of a fugue-like texture, with the instruments engaging in a complex and contrapuntal dialogue. Overall, Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13, is a beautiful and expressive work that showcases the composer's mastery of the string quartet form. It is notable for its emotional depth, its use of chromatic harmonies, and its lively and energetic nature.

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