Beethoven: Serenade in D major, Op.8

Introduction

The Serenade in D major for Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 8, is a string trio composition by Ludwig van Beethoven. It was written from 1796–97, and published in 1797 by Artaria in Vienna.

Structure

The composition is in six movements

1. Marcia: Allegro (4/4) – Adagio (3/4)
2. Menuetto: Allegretto (3/4)
3. Adagio - Scherzo: Allegro molto - Adagio - Allegro molto - Adagio, in D minor (2/4)
4. Allegretto alla Polacca, in F major (3/4)
5. Andante quasi allegretto (2/4) - Variation 1 - Variation 2 - Variation 3 - Variation 4 (2/4) - Allegro (6/8) - Tempo I (2/4)
6. Marcia: Allegro (4/4)

A typical performance takes around 26–30 minutes.

Transcriptions

In 1803, Franz Xaver Heinz Klein arranged this piece for viola and piano. It was published as the Notturno for Viola and Piano in D major, Op. 42, with Beethoven incorrectly credited as its author (although he did make corrections to Franz' work).

In his book Classic Music: Expression, Form, and Style, Leonard G. Ratner cites the fourth movement as a representative example of the polonaise.