Beethoven's String Quartet in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131

Nancy November's Beethoven's String Quartet in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131 reinterprets the quartet, revealing its diverse musical ideas and shifting reception over time.

In Beethoven's String Quartet in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131, author Nancy November offers a comprehensive analysis of this iconic work, enriched by a variety of sound recordings. The book aims to guide readers towards a deeper understanding of earlier modes of listening and interpretation, blending traditional scholarship with elements of popular media. This multifaceted approach allows for a more accessible exploration of the quartet's complexities.

The C-sharp minor quartet, composed in 1826, holds a significant place in both scholarly and performing traditions, as well as in popular culture. However, discussions surrounding Beethoven's String Quartet in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131 have often reduced its rich narrative to themes of tragedy and struggle. Nancy November challenges this limited perspective by revisiting early reception documents, including Beethoven's own reflections on the work, encouraging listeners to reinterpret it beyond notions of adversity.

The book highlights the diverse musical ideas embedded within Op. 131 and situates the quartet within the context of an emerging ideology of 'serious' listening in Beethoven's time. By examining how this late quartet resonated with a passionate audience, the book reveals the profound shifts in its reception from Beethoven's era to the present day, ultimately inviting readers to appreciate the work's multifaceted nature.