Favourite scherzos (minuets, dance movements etc)

[A Lark Ascending]

The Cinderella movement of so many symphonies and extended classical pieces.

The first movement generally carries the intellectual rigour; the second the emotional depth; last movements are more mixed - sometimes targeted at profundity, other times where the composer runs out of ideas.

But the 'dance' movement is generally portrayed as the 'light' moment.

Which ones grab you?

Thinking about this listening to Dvorak 9 where the scherzo has always been the movement that grabbed me most.

Another favourite is Walton's 1st Symphony - 'with malice' it says, and boy does it live up to the billing.

Edited February 10, 2013 by A Lark Ascending

[Chuck Nessa]

Bruckner 4.

[J.A.W.]

Bruckner 8 - "dancing in a cathedral".

Edited February 10, 2013 by J.A.W.

[A Lark Ascending]

Oh, Bruckner's ländler's are a thing unto themselves. I always want to stomp in the mud to them.

Mahler 6 is another favourite of mine. Wonderfully lyrical 'trio' section. Not sure it really fits that formula...but that's the nature of Mahler.

And when I first started listening to Mahler 9 back in the 70s I always visualised the scherzo there as this demented Viennese waltz with the dancers having heads of farm animals!

Edited February 10, 2013 by A Lark Ascending

[Guy Berger]

Beethoven, piano sonata 31/3 (second movement + third movement)

[Spontooneous]

Eroica! Also the quartet Op. 59 No. 1 and the sonata Op. 110.

Mahler 1, 5 and 7.

Mendelssohn's Octet.

Debussy's Cello Sonata.

[Hoppy T. Frog]

And when I first started listening to Mahler 9 back in the 70s I always visualised the scherzo there as this demented Viennese waltz with the dancers having heads of farm animals!

Mahler 9 is what came to mind, too, a wonderful contrast to the heaviness of the rest of the symphony.

[John Litweiler]

3rd movement of Schubert's 9th symphony, esp. the slowed dance in 4 in teh middle

[Guy Berger]

Beethoven, String Quartet Op. 127

[A Lark Ascending]

Mahler 1, 5 and 7.

The Scherzo in Mahler 5 is very unusual and quite magical. Seems to veer between Viennese schmaltz (I like Viennese schmalz) and stretches that are cool and transparent. Great momentum throughout.

[A Lark Ascending]

Balakirev - Symphony 1. Tremendous Scherzo whipping up into a marvellous peasant dance.