Country Dances

Beethoven's Six Landler for Two Violins and Bass, WoO 15 - the basis for this work - constitute his second and final set of these forms of German dance, written as a commission for the annual dances at the Vienna Redoutensaal. Both sets were apparently intended for actual events of social dancing. This set likely date from early 1802, when Beethoven was working intensely on his second symphony. This arrangement for string orchestra requires shifting into 2nd position for the first violins in one section, and the viola (as well as 3rd violin if used) and 2nd violins are required to go into half position for two sections. Cellos need to extend. The requirements for the bass are minimal, but the bass players can play the cello part (with appropriate fingering and position alterations) and the piece works. The second violins do not need to shift, but some of the string crossing (shared with the first violins) can be a bit tricky. This piece works best at a faster tempo (in 1), but can work at a slower tempo (a fast 3.