Of all the Beethoven String Quartets, this is the one I know the best, having seen it performed on two separate occasions. I'm not sure why people choose this one to perform more than the others, but for whatever reason, I'm pretty familiar with Number 4. Which is a pretty good one to be familiar with - I love the drama in the opening movement. When I compare this to his first one, it sounds so much more Beethoven to me; so much more passionate and emotional.
Take a listen:
"In the crisply effected first movement we feel strong purpose rather than the tragedy or pathos often associated with a minor key..." Dr. Robert Simpson at http://robertsimpson.info/writings/simpsons-writings/beethoven-string-quartets.html#op18no4
I also found this awesome color-coded video going through each section and explaining it. Super cool.
I like that there's no slow movement in this quartet. The third movement Minuet is meant to be the most serious of all the movements, but it doesn't sound like a death march. The final rondo is apparently taken from Haydn's Hungarian style, and I appreciate the final dancing notes. And I appreciate the minor key, yet the music still sounds upbeat.
Further reading:
http://rolf-musicblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/beethoven-string-quartet-op184.html
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