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String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18 No. 1

III. Scherzo: Allegro molto

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1798–1800 · F major · 145 bars · 202 chords analysed

The first of the six Op. 18 quartets; Beethoven said the tragic slow movement was inspired by the tomb scene in Romeo and Juliet.

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: F major, C major, A♭ major, D♭ major, F minor.