The C minor Presto WoO52 dates from 1797, and was possibly intended for inclusion in the Piano Sonata in the same key Op 10 No 1. In its definitive form, the Sonata was Beethoven’s first work of its kind to be cast in three movements rather than four, and he may have discarded the scherzo-like piece because its tempo was too similar to that of the finale. It was first published in 1888, in tandem with the C major Allegretto WoO56.
from notes by Misha Donat © 2012
