String Quartets (Mendelssohn)

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Felix Mendelssohn wrote six numbered string quartets which were published during his lifetime:

• String Quartet No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 12 composed in 1829
• String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13 composed in 1827
• String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 44, No. 1 composed in 1838
• String Quartet No. 4 in E minor, Op. 44, No. 2 composed in 1837
• String Quartet No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 44, No. 3 composed in 1838
• String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80 composed in 1847

Mendelssohn also wrote another quartet in E flat major at the age of 14, just after he had composed his 13 string symphonies. However, the quartet was never published in his lifetime and so was never assigned an opus number.

Mendelssohn's first two numbered quartets were published out of order, whilst his next three quartets were published together as Op. 44 and were all dedicated to Crown Prince Gustavus of Sweden.

Mendelssohn's final string quartet was composed after the death of his sister, which was a devastating blow to Mendelssohn. The quartet was also his last major work, as he died only two months after its completion. The piece was published shortly before his death along with a set of four pieces for string quartet also composed in his final years.

v • d • e Chamber music by Felix Mendelssohn String quartets String Quartet No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 12 · String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13 · String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 44, No. 1 · String Quartet No. 4 in E minor, Op. 44, No. 2 · String Quartet No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 44, No. 3 · String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80 · Four Pieces for String Quartet, Op. 81 · String Quartet in E flat major (1823) String quintets and octets String Quintet No. 1 in A major, Op. 18 · String Quintet No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 87 · Octet in E flat major, Op. 20 String sonatas Cello Sonata No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 45 · Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 58 · Viola Sonata in C minor (1823-4) · Violin Sonata in F minor, Op. 4 · Violin Sonata in F major (1820) · Violin Sonata in F major (1838) Piano trios, quartets and sextets Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49 · Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66 · Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 1 · Piano Quartet No. 2 in F minor, Op. 2 · Piano Quartet No. 3 in B minor, Op. 3 · Piano Quartet in D minor (1821) · Piano Sextet in D major, Op. 110 Works for clarinet Clarinet Sonata in E flat major (1824) · Concert Piece No. 1 in F minor, Op. 113 · Concert Piece No. 2 in D minor, Op. 114 List of compositions by Felix Mendelssohn