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String Quartet No. 12 in E♭ major, Op. 127

I. Maestoso

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1825 · E♭ major · 282 bars · 556 chords analysed

The first of the late quartets, commissioned by Prince Galitzin of Russia.

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: E♭ major, C minor, G minor, G major, F minor, C major, A♭ major.