LA MALINCONIA


Joseph Kerman referred to this movement as a little harmonic labyrinth. Disorientation not only regarding harmony but also in terms of structure. The movement starts already with an unusual Adagio and represents one of the first appearances of the bipolarity as a choice in Beethoven. Already the term Melancholie brings in the connotations of oscillation across two extreme moods. There is no transition, it´s a sudden change into the Allegretto or manic dance. This creates a condicional contrast between the material, which means that both extremes need each other to exist. There is no sadness without its contrary.

The same type of contrast will happen in the Op. 135, 4th movement. Bipolarity is already expressed by the header of the movement: Grave-Allegro-Grave-Allegro. Perfect example of the contrast or opposition or inner struggle between despair and joy, this movement is called The Difficult Resolution. Under the introductory slow chords Beethoven wrote in the manuscript Muß es sein? (Must it be?) to which he responds, with the faster main theme of the movement, Es muß sein! (It must be!) This is definitely a big ethic statement for the sake of affirmative Will and self-suggestion.
After presenting the darkness Beethoven brings abruptly a fast unexpected refrain, it sounds even too naive, but it plays the role of calm and stability, center, in the heart of chaos; the identity is assured. But slowly the forces of chaos are finding holes where they can enter. The refrain becomes fragile and unstable until it happen again, the darkness is back, the fear comes in. Jumping from chaos to the beginning of order in chaos and is in danger of breaking apart in any moment (Of the Refrain)