RTV repertoire catalog

Beethoven - Bagatelle - Op. 33, No. 2

ID 2878 · Beethoven, Ludwig van · Piano · Level 8 · Points 410000

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Beethoven’s Bagatelle No. 2, Op. 33, No. 2 is a lively scherzo in 3/4 time with a quick, playful character. The piece is built from short accented gestures, sudden dynamic contrasts, repeated rhythmic ideas, and running broken-chord patterns. Instead of a long singing melody, much of the music feels like a quick musical conversation, with small motives tossed between registers and interrupted by sharp sf accents.Measures 1–17 introduce the main scherzo idea. The right hand begins with a short upward figure followed by rests, while the left hand answers with low bass notes and broken-chord motion. Beethoven uses many quick changes between p, f, and sf, which gives the opening its jumpy and playful style. This opening section includes first and second endings before moving forward.Measures 18–34 change the texture. The left hand plays steady broken chords while the right hand holds longer notes and simple intervals above it. This section grows through a crescendo and reaches a strong ff moment before dropping back down to p. Measures 35–50 bring back the opening scherzo material, including the short right-hand figures, rests, left-hand responses, and repeated dynamic surprises.The Trio begins at measure 51. This section has a smoother sound, with flowing left-hand motion and longer right-hand notes. It still keeps the same quick tempo, but the texture becomes more continuous and less stop-and-start than the opening scherzo. Measures 57–63 build with rising notes and stronger accents, then the Trio repeats with a second ending that leads back toward the scherzo material.Measures 84–112 return to the quick opening style. The short right-hand figures, accented interruptions, and low left-hand answers come back, making the piece feel lively and unpredictable again. Measures 113–137 continue this material with more repeated rhythmic patterns, small register changes, and several strong-to-soft contrasts. The closing measures slow the energy down through repeated low notes, a decrescendo, and a quiet final pause.Interesting fact: This bagatelle is specifically labeled “Scherzo,” which fits the music’s quick tempo, sudden accents, rests, and playful stop-and-start gestures. Even in a short piece, Beethoven gives the music a strong sense of character and humor.How to earn points for this piece:Download or purchase the sheet music.Practice the piece carefully. Watch the video example to make sure you are accurate.Record yourself on video and upload it to YouTube. Perfection is not required. A few minor mistakes are okay.Submit a link to your video here for evaluation. We will watch your performance and give you feedback. If you need more practice, we will let you know what to work on and provide additional practice suggestions. You may also submit your video publicly so other users can evaluate it.If your performance is approved, your video will be accepted and you can collect your points.