Premiere of Beethoven's String Quartet No. 13, Op. 130

Background. Beethoven's late period (1812–1827) included some of his most innovative works, and his late string quartets, composed in 1825–1826, are considered pinnacles of the genre. The String Quartet No. 13, Op. 130, belongs to this group. Although traditionally numbered as the 13th based on its order of publication, it was actually Beethoven's 14th quartet in order of composition. The work was dedicated to Prince Nikolai Galitzin, who in November had offered to pay Beethoven's asking price for three string quartets, a commission Beethoven pursued despite failing health.

Premiere. The quartet was premiered in its original form on 21 March 1826. The performance was given by the Schuppanzigh Quartet, a group led by Ignaz Schuppanzigh, an Austrian violinist and friend of Beethoven. The Schuppanzigh Quartet had previously premiered other late quartets, including the String Quartet No. 12 in March 1825.

Reception. At the premiere, the final contrapuntal movement proved very difficult for both the performers and the audience. A new finale was written in the late autumn of 1826, during a relapse into severe illness, and is the final complete piece Beethoven composed before his death in March 1827. Beethoven never witnessed a performance of the quartet in its final form, which was premiered on 22 April 1827, nearly a month after his death.