Classical · 1797
String Quartet Op. 76 No. 3, 'Emperor' — Poco adagio (theme)
J. HaydnOp. 76 No. 3, Hob. III:77
- Key
- G
- Time
- 4/4
- Tempo
- ♩=60
- AO focus
- AO3
Incipit
Form
Theme + 4 variations on Haydn's 'Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser' (later the German national anthem). 16-bar period with PAC at bar 16.
Teaching points
- Hymn-style four-part texture in the strings — perfect material for analysing chordal voicing
- Each variation hands the melody to a different instrument: violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello
- Periodic structure: 4-bar antecedent + 4-bar consequent + 8-bar cadential extension