BEETHOVEN: SKETCHES FOR SCHERZO

MS 5416
MS Short Title BEETHOVEN: SKETCHES FOR SCHERZO 
Text LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: SKETCHES FOR THE OPENING OF THE SCHERZO FOR AN UNFINISHED STRING QUINTET, LATER USED INSTEAD FOR THE SCHERZO OF SYMPHONY NO. 9 IN D-MINOR OP. 125
Description MS in German on paper, Wien, ca 1817, 1/2 p. 12x32 cm, single column (11x26 cm) ruled with 9 staves (originally 16), 12 bars of sketches on 5 staves, in 3/8 without tempo stated, autograph.
Context This is the only sketches known for this unfinished string quintet. The earliest known sketches for the 9th Symphony's 1st and 2nd movements are from 1817-18, and Beethoven used the present string quintet sketches for the 2nd movement. However, Beethoven did not work more on the 9th Symphony until 1822, and in February 1824 finished it in full score sketches. The first performance was 7th may 1824 in Wien. The autograph is in Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.
Provenance 1. J.A.Stargardt auction 603, 11.6.1974: 321; 2. De-accessioned to Beethoven-Haus Bonn Dec. 1978.
Place of origin Wien
Dates 1817