“WE SEE THE BEETHOVEN OF THE FUTURE”

BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van. Quintetto Pour 2 Violons, 2 Altos et Violoncelle, composé et dédié à Monsieur le Comte Maurice de Fries par L. van Beethoven. Oeuv. 29. Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, [1802]. Folio, original separate parts (as issued), first violin part and first viola part respined. $3200.

First edition, in parts, of Beethoven’s String Quintet op. 29, fully engraved.

The String Quintet op. 29 "quite definitely points to the future and gives and indication of what is to come after 1802. This is one of the transitional works which lies squarely across style boundaries. Few of Beethoven's works flow as smoothly and easily as the quintet's first movement; its melodies move from cadence to cadence with a quality of repose that is delightful. The lyric, florid adagio… is a charming inspiration worthy of comparison with the best works of Mozart. [In] the third and fourth movements we see the Beethoven of the future" (Scherman and Biancolli, 206-207). Kinsky-Halm, 70. Each part with faint owner inkstamp. First violin part with 18th-century owner signature of W. Brand.

An extremely good copy, handsomely boxed.