Mood: Reflective, humble
Key Themes: Sacrifice, devotion
Musical Ideas: Begins with a simple, unadorned melody played by the viola, symbolizing the widow's humble offering. The other instruments join in, providing a rich harmonic foundation that elevates the initial melody, representing how her small sacrifice is magnified in the eyes of the divine.
Mood: Ominous, foreboding
Key Themes: Destruction, warning
Musical Ideas: A shift to a minor key, with the first violin leading a complex, dissonant melody that illustrates the tension and turmoil of the prophecy regarding the temple's destruction. The use of pizzicato in the cello might hint at the unsettling, unexpected nature of these future events.
Mood: Chaotic, intense
Key Themes: Turmoil, anticipation
Musical Ideas: Rapid, agitated passages traded between the instruments, mimicking the confusion and fear associated with the signs of the end times. The use of a recurring motif that grows in intensity could symbolize the escalating nature of these signs, leading to an abrupt, unresolved ending, leaving listeners in suspense.
Mood: Majestic, awe-inspiring
Key Themes: Revelation, salvation
Musical Ideas: A slow build from a solemn, quiet opening to a powerful, full-bodied climax, representing the awe and majesty of the Son of Man's arrival. The use of a triumphant, uplifting theme, perhaps introduced by the second violin and then taken up by the entire quartet, symbolizes hope and redemption.
Mood: Vigilant, contemplative
Key Themes: Preparedness, reflection
Musical Ideas: A return to the reflective mood of the first movement but with a more complex texture, indicating growth and learning. The piece could end with a series of variations on the initial melody, each instrument taking a turn in leading, symbolizing the importance of vigilance and readiness from all perspectives.