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The similarity between the Mexican Hat Dance and the opening of the last movement of Beethoven's String Quartet No. 3 Opus 18 was the starting point for the inspiration of this arrangement by Carlo Martelli, which skilfully combines the two pieces.

The similarity between the Mexican Hat Dance and the opening of the last movement of Beethoven's String Quartet No. 3 Opus 18 was the starting point for the inspiration of this arrangement by Carlo Martelli, which skilfully combines the two pieces.

The first movement of this sonata is one of Beethoven's most loved pieces, with the nocturnal romantic mood it encapsulates being perfectly captured in this arrangement. The third movement has been published separately. The Pavão Quartet recorded the first movement on the CD Dreaming, released in 2008 on Discrete Recordings DISC0801 and re-released in 2010 on Discadia Records DISCA001. Included on the same CD are four more of Martelli’s Grieg, Elgar, Debussy and Dvořák arrangements also published by Broadbent & Dunn.

The first movement of this sonata is one of Beethoven's most loved pieces, with the nocturnal romantic mood it encapsulates being perfectly captured in this arrangement. The third movement has been published separately. The Pavão Quartet recorded the first movement on the CD Dreaming, released in 2008 on Discrete Recordings DISC0801 and re-released in 2010 on Discadia Records DISCA001. Included on the same CD are four more of Martelli’s Grieg, Elgar, Debussy and Dvořák arrangements also published by Broadbent & Dunn.

The Eroica is the first significant work of Beethoven's second period in which he enlarged the whole scale and vocabulary of music. This, the opening movement of that towering masterpiece is a triumphant paean to heroism and liberty. Arranged by Carlo Martelli.

The Eroica is the first significant work of Beethoven's second period in which he enlarged the whole scale and vocabulary of music. This, the opening movement of that towering masterpiece is a triumphant paean to heroism and liberty. Arranged by Carlo Martelli.

As to be or not to be is the one Shakespeare quote that is universally recognised, so too is the opening of this Symphony vis a vis Beethoven. Despite the impression of overwhelming intensity given by this movement, it is one of the most perfectly balanced the composer ever wrote.

As to be or not to be is the one Shakespeare quote that is universally recognised, so too is the opening of this Symphony vis a vis Beethoven. Despite the impression of overwhelming intensity given by this movement, it is one of the most perfectly balanced the composer ever wrote.

This opening movement, of perhaps Beethoven's most lyrical and contemplative symphony, lends itself particularly well to transference to the string quartet. Beethoven meant this movement to evoke the awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the country. This skilful arrangement by Carlo Martelli captures the mood intended just as well as the original.