Page:Rolland - Beethoven, tr. Hull, 1927.pdf/220

 the Maestoso introduction accompanying the Allegro subject on every appearance. The Adagio is dreamy in mood and has a touching Andante episode, also a striking excursion to E major before the final return. The Scherzando vivace, which must not be taken too quickly, is also a striking example of Beethoven's characteristic contrapuntal writing and contains a passage in Beethoven's famous Ritmo di tre battute (Rhythm of three bars); another instance of this occurs in the Ninth Symphony. The tempo is constantly changing throughout and the highly dramatic music, free in style, settles down more into a lyric and rhythmic style for the Finale, the long coda of which is extremely characteristic, starting right away from the key.

This quartet, written in 1825, is one of Beethoven's longest, and contains six movements. The opening piece carries its Adagio introduction through all the appearances of the Allegro subject. The second subject is of wonderful beauty. The development section very short. The unusual Presto in B flat minor very succinct; is the nearest