5 Facts About Beethoven’s Posthumous String Quartet

The quartet was not performed until after Beethoven’s death. The first public performance took place in March 1828, over a year after he died in March 1827.

It was Beethoven’s final completed string quartet. He finished the work in 1826, but never heard it performed live.

The quartet is known for its unusual structure. The final movement includes a slow, introspective section that contrasts with the more energetic earlier movements.

The work was dedicated to a patron. Beethoven dedicated the quartet to his friend and supporter, the composer and violinist Karl Holz.

The quartet’s premiere was a significant event. It was performed by the Schuppanzigh Quartet, a group closely associated with Beethoven’s late works.