Opus 1 No. 2 E Flat Major - and 2,3

Haydn's String Quartet Opus 1 No. 2 in E Flat Major has two Menuettos, both in 3/4 time. The first of these two menuetos has a well meaning crest in the middle third of the movement. The structure is A, A, B, B, A1, A1, B1, B1, A, B with A being an initial theme, B being a second longer theme and A1 and B1 being variations on the originals.

After two times through the A section (about 14 seconds long each) and two times through the B section (about 24 seconds long each), Haydn offers his variations on these themes. In each variation the second violin delivers a six beat staccato. The effect is to lift up the middle of third. This little pop of energy is unexpected and must have brought listeners just a bit forward in their seats.

Here are these two versions of A, the second one with the staccato


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But, this little jolt is nothing compared to the final presto movement. Opus 2 starts with an Allegro Molto that flat our pedestrian compared to the final presto movement.