The contradance, where girls and guys stood facing (or “contra”) each other at its start, was fashionable at the dawn of the 19th Century.
Beethoven’s contradances were very popular with the young nobility. Today, however, very few contradances are performed as concert pieces alone. This one is the exception.
With a strong bass flutist, this arrangement can be a real toe-tapper. Written in five parts, there are many skills demanded of all, particularly in double-tonguing and dynamics. This is a terrific concert opener or encore!