Beethoven's "Late Quartets," No. 12-16 (plus the Große Fuge), were his final major compositions. They were so advanced at the time that they bewildered most and led some to believe that the once great composer, now ailing, was losing his mind. While another musician admitted that Beethoven's genius might simply be misunderstood and beyond comprehension: "We know there is something there, but we do not know what it is." By the 20th century, opinions changed. These late quartets are now widely considered among the greatest musical compositions ever created.

Beethoven completed the original version of his String Quartet No. 13 in B♭ major (op130) in November 1825 and premiered in March 1826. But as the original finale - the famed Große Fuge - was deemed far too long, complex, and bewildering at the time, he composed a new, lighter, final movement in November 1826 which was the final music Beethoven ever composed. He died in March 1827 and the quartet with the new finale was premiered a month later, in April 1827.

Beethoven's String Quartet No. 13, with the substitute final movement, is today's Midday Masterpiece.