What is a string quartet?
In the Classical period, string quartets were a popular form of chamber music that was composed to be performed in the home of a monarch or aristocrat.
Oliver Heath discusses the string quartet before the Heath Quartet perform "String Quartet No. 12 Opus 127, 2nd Movement" by Ludwig van Beethoven, 1825
Instruments
A string quartet is a small group of performers, made up of:
- two violins
- one viola
- one cello
Structure and form
Most string quartets are in four movements. The standard Classical form is:
- 1st movement: Allegro (fast) in sonata form
- 2nd movement: Slow
- 3rd movement: Minuet and Trio
- 4th movement: Allegro
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