Beethoven wrote his Bagatelle WoO 54 in 1802. Whoever gave it its nickname ‘Lustig und Traurig’ (‘Happy and: You will see that the first section of the piece (bars 1-16) is marked (‘Happy’), so it will require a brighter, optimistic feel. Think in long four-bar phrases; the first four bars appearing as a type of question with the next four as the answer. Try to use a good legato touch and remember to lift the hands for the rests. Marked (‘Sad’), the key shifts to C minor at bar 17, so a more poignant and expressive style will be needed (though don’t give in to rubato). Here you will benefit from a lighter touch, but make sure that each note depresses all the way to the bottom of the key. Practise slowly, maintaining evenness from one note to the next. The semiquavers should sound seamless.
