(Fourth Movement) F minor, Alla breve, Rondo-Sonata Form

The Prestissimo finale is in rondo-sonata form (A-B-A-B-C-A-B-C-A-B), with the first half (exposition) and the second half (development + recapitulation) each repeated.

Exposition

It begins with the main theme, where chords are etched over triplet arpeggios. The main theme consists of a chordal motive characterized by the contrast between p (piano) and f (forte), and a contrasting motive in three-part writing featuring repeated notes and a perfect fourth leap.

The subordinate theme is presented in the dominant key of C minor. In this subordinate theme, which descends sequentially by octaves, triplet arpeggios also form the background. The coda is formed by an inversion of the main theme's elements (the triplet accompaniment and the placement of the chordal motive).

Development + Recapitulation

The development section first presents a new theme in A-flat major. The accompanying figure, characterized by etched chords with a rest on the first beat, is reminiscent of the main theme of the first movement. After this theme is repeated, including octave doublings, fragments of the main theme's chordal motive with triplets appear, leading into the recapitulation. This bridging technique can also be seen as connected to the first movement.

The subordinate theme is also recapitulated in the tonic key of F minor, and the coda likewise concludes concisely in F minor.