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String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135

IV. “Muss es sein?”

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1826 · F minor · 283 bars · 561 chords analysed

Beethoven's last complete work. The finale is headed by the question “Muss es sein?” (Must it be?) and the answer “Es muss sein!” (It must be!).

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 minor, A major, F major, C major, D minor, D major, G minor.