Biamonti 763 – Note on Metric Notation, 1818–1822 (Notebook III, page 127). (Nottebohm, II, page 474).

Insights from the Centro Ricerche Musicali Beethoveniane (February 2026): The manuscript is preserved in Berlin at the Staatsbibliothek, Artaria 201. Nottebohm (Zweite Beethoveniana, p. 474) describes these notes as “(p. 127) the notation of two metrical feet”, whereas for Biamonti they are simply an “Appunto di Notazione metrica”.

As with the previous sketch — and contrary to what both Nottebohm and Biamonti write — the notes are actually found on page 125, staves 5 and 6, not on page 127.

There are therefore two separate notes:

1. The first, on staff 5, is labelled “Päon”.

Päon in German is a technical term of poetic metrics. It indicates an ancient metrical foot composed of three short syllables and one long, with the long syllable in a variable position (it may appear anywhere). In Italian it is generally translated as “peone” (from Greek paíōn). It was the characteristic foot of the paean, the chant accompanying the dance in honour of Apollo.

2. The second, on the staff immediately below, is defined by Nottebohm as “Anapäst”.

In Italian anapèsto, a metrical foot of Greek and Latin poetry formed by ◡◡– (two short syllables followed by a long one). It produces an ascending rhythm, often perceived as insistent or martial.

Beethoven indicates the metrical patterns in both sketches.