Minuet WoO 10, No. 2 (Beethoven)
Encyclopedia
Ludwig van Beethoven
's Minuet in G major, WoO 10, No. 2 is a composition originally written for orchestra, but was lost and only an arrangement for piano
could be found. It has become very popular.
. In terms of A-B-A sections, the three parts are:
The Moderato
section features a legato melody repeated once. This is the main theme of the piece. A slightly varied reiteration of this theme follows a four-measure section. Quarter notes occupy most of the left hand in this section.
The trio
section features non-stop eighth notes in the right hand and, once again, quarter notes in the left hand. It starts with an eight-measure passage repeated once and moves on to another eight-measure passage that is also repeated once. This passage contains four harmonious measures that are followed by a varied reiteration of the theme in the trio part (which is played in the first eight-measure passage).
The last section, which is Moderato also, is just the first section repeated.
, the children of River City learn the Minuet in G via the "Think Method" taught by Professor Harold Hill. It was also the inspiration for the theme of the British sitcom Fawlty Towers
.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's Minuet in G major, WoO 10, No. 2 is a composition originally written for orchestra, but was lost and only an arrangement for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
could be found. It has become very popular.
Structure
The minuet is in ternary formTernary form
Ternary form, sometimes called song form, is a three-part musical form, usually schematicized as A-B-A. The first and third parts are musically identical, or very nearly so, while the second part in some way provides a contrast with them...
. In terms of A-B-A sections, the three parts are:
- Moderato
- TrioTrio (music)Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
- Moderato
The Moderato
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
section features a legato melody repeated once. This is the main theme of the piece. A slightly varied reiteration of this theme follows a four-measure section. Quarter notes occupy most of the left hand in this section.
The trio
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
section features non-stop eighth notes in the right hand and, once again, quarter notes in the left hand. It starts with an eight-measure passage repeated once and moves on to another eight-measure passage that is also repeated once. This passage contains four harmonious measures that are followed by a varied reiteration of the theme in the trio part (which is played in the first eight-measure passage).
The last section, which is Moderato also, is just the first section repeated.
In popular culture
In The Music ManThe Music Man
The Music Man is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with...
, the children of River City learn the Minuet in G via the "Think Method" taught by Professor Harold Hill. It was also the inspiration for the theme of the British sitcom Fawlty Towers
Fawlty Towers
Fawlty Towers is a British sitcom produced by BBC Television and first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975. Twelve television program episodes were produced . The show was written by John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth, both of whom played major characters...
.