Ritterballett, WoO 1, arr. for Piano, Hess 89 (mp3)

Ritterballett WoO 1, Arranged for Piano, Hess 89 (1791). This arrangement of the "Knight's Ballet" is presumably contemporary with the orchestral version, which was performed March 6, 1791 at a ball held by Count Waldstein . Beethoven let Waldstein treat the piece as if Waldstein himself had written it. The ballet consists of eight numbers :

1. March; 2. German Song; 3. Hunting Song; 4. Love Song; 5. War Song; 6. Drinking Song "Mihi est propositum"; 7. Dance Song; and 8. Coda. The German Song also reappears between movements, serving as an interlude much like the Promenade in Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. The strange but beautiful harmonies of the Love Song seem to have their origin in Pedrillo's Romanze 'In Mohrenland gefangen war' from Mozart's Entfuehrung aus dem Serail.

According to Thayer, there were once vocal elements, which are now lost (Hess 116). No trace of those vocal elements appears in either score.

WoO: 1
Hess: 89

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