Ludwig van Beethoven, Menuett für Klavier (C-Dur) WoO 218 sowie Skizzen zum Klavierkonzert Nr. 2 op. 19, frühe Fassung, 1. Satz und zu anderen Werken, Partiturskizze, Autograph

Sketch or early version?

The leaf shown here contains - aside from sketches for a menuett in C major and a trio with basso continuo figuring - nineteen bars for the first movement of the Second Piano Concerto, written down in the form of an orchestral score. Although it is defined as a sketch leaf for research purposes, the appearance of the autograph gives the impression that it is a preliminary final version rather than a sketch. Articulation markings, phrasing and dynamics are missing and the piano part is notated without the left hand. Yet the notation is so clear and complete that today it is thought that the autograph could be an insertion for a lost second version of the concerto. The insertion sign (a crossed circle) on the top left-hand side of the first page supports this supposition. Beethoven's Second Piano Concerto was composed at a time when he himself appeared as a concert pianist (although he gave this up later not least because of his failing hearing) and performed his own concertos. A complete notation of the solo part would therefore not have been necessary. In the same way phrasing, dynamics and articulation markings would not have been needed if Beethoven had, for instance, used the leaf as an aid to memory. It is possible that the sketch leaf was used for this purpose although it cannot be proven. Even though it is certain that one or even several early versions of the concerto existed, they cannot be reconstructed. (J.R.)