 With its 2 / 4 time signature, pulse occurring on the eight notes, and "allegro moderato" tempo, the metre of the first movement is a throwback to an earlier and simpler style of opening movement. It begins with a simple duet between the two violins, before a second subject area that involves rapid sextuplets. The movement continues to feature subtle textural conversation between the violins, viola and cello that is not resolved until the coda.
