RTV repertoire catalog

Beethoven - Minuet - WoO 10, No. 4

ID 514 · Beethoven, Ludwig van · Piano · Level 5 · Points 6825

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“Beethoven - 6 Minuets - WoO 10, No. 4” is a short Classical dance piece in 3/4. The music has a graceful minuet character, with a main Minuet section followed by a contrasting Trio. The piece uses repeat signs, first and second endings, finger numbers, slurs, staccato markings, and many dynamic contrasts, especially p, f, and sfp. After the Trio, the direction Men. da capo sends the performer back to the Minuet, creating the traditional minuet-and-trio form.Measures 1–9 introduce the main Minuet section. The right hand carries a clear dance melody with small slurred figures and dotted rhythms, while the left hand supports with simple bass notes and chord tones. The music begins softly at p, then contrasts with a stronger f response before closing the first repeated section.Measures 10–19 continue the Minuet with a more active second section. The right hand uses short rising figures, triplets, and small running patterns, while the left hand supports with repeated chords and steady harmonic movement. The first and second endings give the section a clear repeated structure before the Trio begins.Measures 20–28 begin the Trio. This section has a more flowing and accented character, with repeated sfp markings and a moving right-hand line. The left hand provides simple bass support, while the right hand moves through slurred eighth-note figures and small ornamental turns.Measures 29–37 complete the Trio with continued accented phrases and repeated patterns. The right hand moves through rising and falling melodic figures, while the left hand keeps the harmony grounded with simple bass notes. The final measure gives the direction Men. da capo, sending the performer back to the beginning of the Minuet.Interesting fact: Beethoven’s Six Minuets, WoO 10 were written as short dance pieces rather than large concert works. The “WoO” in the title means “Werke ohne Opuszahl,” or “works without opus number,” a catalog label used for pieces that were not published with Beethoven’s regular opus numbers.