Each movement begins with a variant of the basic motif on the cello. The first has the original form of the theme, while the second has a "majorised" version which is also expressed as a chord. The third movement, with its "scherzoid" middle section, reverts to the major-minor ambiguity of the first, and the finale begins with the "majorised" version as an ostinato accompaniment on pizzicato cello.
The slow movement is sub-titled "In memoriam DSCH" and concludes with a quotation of Shostakovich's motto - D E flat C B - which is basically the same as Beethoven's with the addition of one note.
This is not to imply that the work contains no other thematic material. One important theme, a rising fifth and a second, is also common to three of the movements, and is ultimately derived from my first quartet, Op. 1 of 27 years earlier, to which this second contribution to the form is in many ways like a sequel. Like the earlier work, too, this quartet is dedicated to my wife.
| Instrument | Stryger Kvartet |
| Genre (Fx Pop, Rock, Barn m.m.) | Post-1900 |
| Typ (fx Lärobok, samling m.m.) | Instrumental Arbete |
| Media | Noter |
| Publisher/Producent | Novello, Novello & Co Ltd. |
| Bidragsgivare | Joubert, John (Artist) |
| Språk | Engelska |