The first theme, consisting of birds’ sounds, chirping, and trills, occurs three times throughout the quartet. Each time it is slightly modified, the essence remains the same and traced through the entire work (Jabet, 2017). For the first time, this theme constitutes the whole first movement. The second time, it frames the slightly calmer music in the second part. Finally, the already familiar sounds return to the listener in the Finale after a break in the form of a third movement.
In this case, the second theme is quiet and melodic motives, contrasting with sonorous bird trills. They first meet in the pauses between lively bars in the Allegro moderato. Throughout the entire second movement, they are less common, increasing only towards the end. Finally, the third part, Adagio, gives it the most significant development.
The imitation of bird sounds is heard primarily throughout the first movement of the quartet, the Allegro moderato. This whole part consists of fast motives, in which, with the help of the grace notes, the impression of birds chirping around is created. This effect decreases in intensity in the second part of the piece, completely disappearing in Largo. The bird sounds return in a slightly modified form in the Finale. Thus, the imitation of chirping captures the listener initially and frames the ending of the quartet.
The intervals between the bright trills of birds are filled with quiet, gradually increasing from the pianissimo, repeating sounds of growing tension. As soon as the sounds of birds chirping cease, the music’s tempo slows down, so that after a short time, it will rise again and develop into vivid action. After each such trill, the listener seems to be given a respite, during which there is sometimes even absolute silence. However, this silence is always broken by a gradually increasing series of fast notes, which again return to birds’ sounds.
Thus, this piece can be described as combining two moods at the same time. The quartet begins at a fast pace, moving from sharp bird trills to a more peaceful third movement. However, this melodic respite does not last long, returning the listener to the form of a rondo, framing the already familiar sounds of birds in a new shell, decorating them with new elements. This work is filled with a positive and allows for a moment to imagine yourself alone with nature, either rapidly chirping or calm and melodic.
Reference
Kee, Jabet. (2017). Haydn – String Quartet Op. 33 No. 3 “The Bird.” [Video]. YouTube. Web.