Beethoven: Grosse Fuge Opus 133 (Annotated)

Beethoven’s Grosse Fuge (Fugue) Opus 133 for String Quartet, performed by the Takacs Quartet and video annotated by Ed Chang. (The numbers in ( ) refer to the theme number, C = counter-theme, I = inversion. Letters refer to the score sections) Overture (with 4 main theme subjects) (1) : note the end trill, also the 1st bar grace motif, Allegro, 6/8, GM (2) : irregular zigzag shape, 6/8, GM (3A) : even zigzag w. (3B) countersubject 2nd time), Meno mosso, 2/4, FM (dominant) (4) : restrained here, but explodes in Part I, Allegro, 4/4, BbM (tonic) Part I: Double fugue on (4) and (4C). (4C) is derived from (1), Allegro, 4/4 Exposition: Subject entrances, followed by “Codetta“ variation Development: Pt 1 - 8th triplets, scalar variations, (Letter A) Pt 2 - big interval leap version of (4), (Letter B) Pt 3 - Cross-accents, hybrid triplet/duple rhythm, (Letter C)