Dmitri Shostakovich - String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68 (1944): Score And Analysis

1st movement. Overture. A major
Form: sonata
EXPOSITION:
00:00 Primary Subject. A major. The beginning of the Overture is lively and joyful. The elastic melody contains folk tune intonations. The theme's rigid character arises from its intonation structure, emphasizing the fifth-based mode with major seconds. The absence of the major third gives it a straightforward emphasis. The diatonicism strengthens its folk character. The theme becomes increasingly conflicted and nervous.
01:08 Secondary Subject. C sharp minor. It has subjective expressiveness with a syncopated rhythm reminiscent of a mazurka. The chromatic minor intensifies the contrast, giving it sharpness and spirit. The form is variational, presenting a vivid contrast between the subjects.
DEVELOPMENT:
03:50 Lyrical digression. Beautiful and whimsically lyrical music in D minor, arising from a transformation of the primary subject.
04:36 Midsection. Fragmented variations of the primary subject, intensifying dissonances.
05:52 Final section. E-flat minor. A dramatic culmination using altered motives of the primary subject.
06:40 False Recapitulation. The theme is altered, resembling elaboration.
RECAPITULATION:
07:22 Secondary Subject. A major.
08:03 Primary Subject. A major.

2nd movement. Recitative and Romance. B-flat major.
Form: Recitative-Romance-Recitative
08:40 Recitative. Expressive music with sadness and brightness, almost like real speech intonations. The mournful character is elevated despite the major tonal setting. The recitative poses essential questions, conveying agitation and emotional pain.
11:58 Romance. Thematic development with a chain of "theme-embryos." Alternates between romantic intonations and recitative passages. Polyphonic texture with all quartet voices involved.
16:39 r. 46. Recitative. Recapitulation

3rd movement. Waltz. E-flat minor.
Form: Sonata.
EXPOSITION:
19:53 Primary subject, E-flat minor. First theme captures a fusion of emotions with a complex intonation structure. Second theme simpler and more human.
21:05 Secondary subject, F-sharp minor. Peculiar and flexible with recitative-like intonations.
21:34 Closing subject, G-flat major. Conveys uninterrupted swirling motion.
DEVELOPMENT:
22:00 Development arising from the closing subject. Dramatic significance with bursts of passionate sorrow.
RECAPITULATION:
23:29 Primary subject, E-flat minor. Both themes sequentially.
24:02 Secondary subject, G-flat major. Brighter color illuminating the conclusion.
CODA:
24:32 Coda based on the recapitulation, with a variation of the closing subject.

4th movement, A minor
Form: Theme and variations
25:37 Introduction, E-flat minor. Connects the finale with inner sections. Genre character of a recitative with a quote from the primary subject of the waltz.
FIRST SECTION:
26:46 Theme, A minor. Epic narrative character combining songfulness with a march-like progression. Intonations from the introduction create moments of lyrical intensification.
27:22 Variation 1. Theme given to the violin with cello accompaniment.
27:55 Variation 2. First violin with countermelody in second violin.
28:27 Variation 3. Theme in low cello register with ethereal accompaniment.
MIDDLE SECTION:
29:25 Variation 4 to Variation 10. Structurally freer, resembling a sonata development. Grotesque, lyrical, and pastoral elements.
RECAPITULATION:
33:35 Brief recapitulation introducing a lyrical stream with modified theme.
CODA:
34:22 Heroic and epic format reproducing entire thematic material, ending with triumphant cadence in A minor.

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