Beethoven – the last two quartets

String Quartets Nos 15 in A minor (op 132) and 16 in F major (op 135)

When I first fell in love with Beethoven’s late quartets someone asked me what it was about them I loved. I thought about it and I couldn’t say. Coming back to these two pieces over ten years after last hearing them, I still can’t, really, beyond a few scattered, incoherent impressions.

A feeling of breaking the boundaries of existing forms, a sort of sovereignty over music. Immense density, gravity. Transcendent serenity sometimes, but then again sometimes almost earthy robustness. Somehow managing to be tragic and radiant at the same time (eg the first and last movements of Op 132). This brings me to the point of thinking that it is pointless to write about it, the music has to speak for itself. To paraphrase Wittgenstein’s aphorism, if you can’t say it, STFU and don’t try.

So I’m not going to say much more. Except (because I can’t stop myself), towering above it all, is the Song of Thanksgiving from Op 132. Movement but perfect stillness at the same time. It makes me feel human.