Hess 98 – Scherzo for Piano (Unfinished)
The musical examples on this page are by Professor Antonietta Cappelli.
Hess 098 – Scherzo for Piano (Unfinished), April 1794–1799, first published by W. Hess in the eighth fascicle of the Supplemente zur GA, 1964. It is the solo piano version of the Scherzo from the Trio Opus 1 No. 2 for piano, violin, and cello. The original manuscript is part of the Kafka Sketchbook, preserved in the British Museum. It includes the first two sections of the Scherzo, minus the final six bars. The piece is an original work by Beethoven. It is cited in Kinsky/Halm on p. 255. [Republished by Hess in SBG, Vol. VIII, 1964, p. 13.]
From Hess: Piano version of the Scherzo from Trio Op. 1 No. 2. The autograph was previously in the Artaria collection. It is cited by Thayer I, p. 404. Where is the autograph today? Not published. [Evidently, when Hess was compiling this catalog entry, he was not very familiar with the Kafka miscellany at the British Library in London, where the piece—64 bars long—is found on folios 126r and 126v. Later published by Hess in SBG, Vol. VIII, 1964, p. 13. The Kafka Sketchbook was published both in facsimile and transcription by Joseph Kerman in Autograph Miscellany from the Kafka Sketchbook ca. 1786 to 1799, 2 vols., British Museum, London 1970.]
Comparative Analysis: Hess 098 vs. Original Scherzo from Op. 1 No. 2
| Feature | Hess 098 – Piano Fragment | Original Scherzo – Op. 1 No. 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Instrumentation | Solo piano | Piano, violin, and cello (piano trio) |
| Date of Composition | ca. 1794–1799 | ca. 1793–1795; published in 1795 |
| Source | Kafka Sketchbook (British Museum) | Published by Artaria, Vienna |
| Length | 64 bars (missing final 6 bars) | Full movement with trio section |
| Key | G major | G major (trio in B minor) |
| Tempo Marking | Allegro | Allegro (3/4 time) |
| Structure | Two main sections, no trio | Full Scherzo + contrasting trio + da capo |
| Texture | Homophonic, keyboard-centric | Chamber texture with interplay between instruments |
| Purpose | Sketch or reduction for solo piano | Final published version for ensemble performance |
| Stylistic Traits | Crisp articulation, rhythmic drive, early Beethoven humor | More developed thematic dialogue, dynamic contrast between strings and piano |
- Hess 098 appears to be Beethoven’s early attempt to distill the Scherzo into a solo piano format—possibly for study, experimentation, or pedagogical use. It lacks the trio section and final bars, suggesting it was never intended for performance in this form.
- The original trio version showcases Beethoven’s emerging mastery of chamber writing. The Scherzo is lively and witty, with rhythmic surprises and a playful exchange of motifs between instruments. The trio section in B minor provides a darker contrast before returning to the main theme.
- Stylistically, both versions reflect Beethoven’s departure from the more stately minuet tradition, embracing the scherzo as a vehicle for energy, humor, and rhythmic invention—a hallmark of his mature style.
Hess 98 is part of the “Research Becomes Art” project.
A New Life for the Unknown Works of Ludwig van Beethoven: An Artistic Exploration by the pianist Professor Antonietta Cappelli