Charles Petzold



Beethoven’s first music for the stage is called Ritterballet — a “knight’s ballet” — performed just once on Carnival Sunday, 6 March 1791. The score consists of a March, a German Song, Hunting Song, Romance, War Song, Drinking Song, German Dance, and Coda.

#Beethoven250 Day 21
Music for a “Ritterballet” (WoO 1), 1790–91

The music for Beethoven’s “knight’s ballet” is rarely played, let alone choreographed, so a theatrical performance such as this is quite unusual.

Alexander Wheelock Thayer wrote of Beethoven’s Ritterballet: “we know nothing more than … that it illustrated the predilection of the ancient Germans for war, the chase, love and drinking.” No program or scenario has survived, so any choreography is highly speculative.

#Beethoven250 Day 22
Music for a “Ritterballet” (WoO 1), 1790–91

Beethoven’s “knight’s ballet” is here arranged for a brass quartet, which seems exceptionally well-suited to the music.