Quartet for 2 violins, viola and violoncello (F major) op. 135
Listening samples
Dedication
Composition
Summer to October 1826
Opus 135 is Beethoven's last string quartet. He completed it in October 1826 at his brother Johann's estate in Gneixendorf near Krems. It was commissioned by the Berlin music publisher Schlesinger, who came into closer contact with the composer in 1819 and bombarded him with requests for new quartets or quintets from 1821 onwards. The contract of 4 September 1825 specified that Beethoven was to write two quartets. Schlesinger received the String Quartet op. 132 at the end of 1825; the composer still owed him another one.
It is not surprising that Beethoven completed the op. 135 in the country. He felt happy outside the city and drew strength and inspiration from nature. On 13 October 1826 he wrote to Schlesinger, 'At last I was able to move here to the countryside; a true recovery for me, as I was obliged to spend this summer in the city. […] I have lost the tiredness of the city and feel refreshed again' (BGA 2222).
Beethoven had literally fled to Gneixendorf after a truly awful summer. Usually he left the city in August at the latest. In 1826 this was not possible: his beloved nephew Karl, whose guardian he had become, had attempted suicide on 6 August. The exact reasons are not known, although Karl might have had gambling debts. The strained relationship with his overbearing uncle might also have contributed to it. His nephew's suicide attempt was a catastrophe for Beethoven and the total failure of their relationship, in which he had set such high hopes. At first Karl did not want to see his uncle in the hospital, and they only came together again with great effort.
On 25 September Karl was discharged from hospital. After several legal issues had been resolved (attempted suicide was a criminal offence) and Karl's future had been cleared up (he chose a military career), Beethoven decided on 28 September to accept his brother's invitation and went to Gneixendorf with his nephew. Once there he was looked after and could relax and digest the shock of the past weeks. The String Quartet op. 135, his last great composition, was completed on 30 October 1826, according to the inscription on the autograph parts. (J.R.)
It is not surprising that Beethoven completed the op. 135 in the country. He felt happy outside the city and drew strength and inspiration from nature. On 13 October 1826 he wrote to Schlesinger, 'At last I was able to move here to the countryside; a true recovery for me, as I was obliged to spend this summer in the city. […] I have lost the tiredness of the city and feel refreshed again' (BGA 2222).
Beethoven had literally fled to Gneixendorf after a truly awful summer. Usually he left the city in August at the latest. In 1826 this was not possible: his beloved nephew Karl, whose guardian he had become, had attempted suicide on 6 August. The exact reasons are not known, although Karl might have had gambling debts. The strained relationship with his overbearing uncle might also have contributed to it. His nephew's suicide attempt was a catastrophe for Beethoven and the total failure of their relationship, in which he had set such high hopes. At first Karl did not want to see his uncle in the hospital, and they only came together again with great effort.
On 25 September Karl was discharged from hospital. After several legal issues had been resolved (attempted suicide was a criminal offence) and Karl's future had been cleared up (he chose a military career), Beethoven decided on 28 September to accept his brother's invitation and went to Gneixendorf with his nephew. Once there he was looked after and could relax and digest the shock of the past weeks. The String Quartet op. 135, his last great composition, was completed on 30 October 1826, according to the inscription on the autograph parts. (J.R.)
