Late string quartets (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's late string quartets are:Opus 127: String Quartet No. 12 in E♭ major (1825)
Opus 130: String Quartet No. 13 in B♭ major (1825)
Opus 131: String Quartet No. 14 in C♯ minor (1826)
Opus 132: String Quartet No. 15 in A minor (1825)
Opus 133: Große Fuge in B♭ major
Opus 135: String Quartet No. 16 in F major (1826)
Manuscript of Beethoven's Große Fuge, arranged for piano four hands
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most revered figures in the history of Western music; his works rank among the most performed of the classical music repertoire and span the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic era in classical music. His early period, during which he forged his craft, is typically considered to have lasted until 1802. From 1802 to around 1812, his middle period showed an individual development from the styles of Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and is sometimes characterized as heroic. During this time, Beethoven began to grow increasingly deaf. In his late period, from 1812 to 1827, he extended his innovations in musical form and expression.
Beethoven (1820)
Beethoven's birthplace at Bonngasse 20 in Bonn is now the Beethoven-Haus museum.
Christian Gottlob Neefe, one of Beethoven's first music teachers, depicted in a c. 1798 engraving
Count Waldstein, depicted in a c. 1800 portrait by Antonín Machek