Twelve German Dances, WoO 8, arr. for Piano, Hess 100 (mp3)

Twelve German Dances for Orchestra WoO 8, for Piano Hess 100 (1795). This piano version of these twelve German dances is contemporary with the orchestral version, which was commissioned for the winter 1795 balls held in the small Redoutensaal of the Hofburg palace in Vienna.

Hofburg Grand Redoutensaal

Only this piano version was published during Beethoven's lifetime (Artaria, 1795). Beethoven also wrote a version for two violins and bass, which is now lost. These dances are mostly in two parts of eight measures each, with a trio in two parts of eight measures each, though the first dance lacks a trio. The set also includes a lengthy coda based upon the themes of the first and last dances.

WoO: 8
Hess: 100

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