I would really like to do two post today, so here is a two for one. Two hundred and one years ago today, Abraham Lincoln was born. On May 31, we will recognize the 201 anniversary of the death of Haydn. Did Lincoln listen to Haydn? Certainly, the two men knew of one another. Two movements in Opus 2 No. 2 got me thinking about Lincoln ( a repeat from my Feb 1 post). The second and fourth movements, a menuet and a menuetto, both open with what was for Haydn were conventional structures, both movements then make dramatic and thoughtful turns. The menuetto is particularly anxious and forward thinking. This section captures the Lincoln presidency by propelling us into a state of concern while holding out promise through harmonic expectations. At the top of the playlist is Op.2 No.3 the fourth movement menuetto; see what you think.
Haydn does so much with this fourth movement, it's a disservice to suggest any single idea. But, here I go. I am drawn to the second major theme in this movement, which is tipped twice with descending scales from the combined four strings. The theme begins at about 1:29 and draws up tension and energy, much like, I suspect, Abraham Lincoln did in his darkest hours. I am most intrigued with 2:20 - 2:45. The hopefulness of 2:45 to the end seems a bit tragic when pushed through this Lincoln lens.
Find more music like this on Haydn String Quartet
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