Fourth Movement: A Major, 4/4 Time, Rondo

The Rondo theme is characterized by arpeggios spanning a wide range of over three octaves and descending leaps of nearly two octaves. As indicated by the opening tempo marking, it is truly a graceful Grazioso theme.

Following an improvisatory transition in sixteenth notes (m. 17ff.), the first couplet (m. 27ff.) appears in the dominant key of E major. Upon the return of the Rondo theme (m. 41ff.), the range of the arpeggios expands to over four octaves.

The second couplet (m. 57ff.) shifts to the parallel minor, A minor, combining chromatic ascents in eighth-note triplets with chords in dotted rhythm. While the first couplet also possessed a thematic character, the second couplet is even more profoundly thematic, differing considerably from traditional rondo couplets. The second couplet includes a repeat sign and further expands in scale by modulating to the relative major, C major.

In the subsequent return of the Rondo theme (m. 100ff.), the arpeggios transform into rapid scale ascents, and delicate ornamentation is applied to the individual motives comprising the theme. A transitional passage leading to the first couplet reappears (m. 116ff.), and the first couplet is partially recapitulated in the tonic key (m. 124ff.).

In the fourth return of the Rondo theme (m. 135ff.), the arpeggios revert to their initial range, but the musical idea develops, somewhat forcefully introducing the second couplet.

The movement modulates to the Neapolitan key of B-flat major, and after an improvisatory insertion of the second couplet's chromatic ascent and dotted rhythm, it concludes with a decisive fifth return of the Rondo theme (m. 173ff.).