“Écossaise” is the French word for Scottish, and refers to a Scottish country dance in 2/4 time. Beethoven composed some écossaises later in his career, but the two collections presented here today are problematic. One is definitely spurious, and the other is likely spurious.
The 12 Écossaises catalogued as WoO 16 are definitely not by Beethoven. They are arrangements of some of Beethoven’s music for two violins and double bass, or two flutes and horn, or solo piano. See the Unheard Beethoven site for more details.
#Beethoven250 Day 194
12 Écossaises for Piano (WoO 16), c. 1806
Advertisements might appear before this only recording on YouTube of this undoubtedly spurious work.
The big problem with the 12 Écossaises (WoO 16) is not that they’re unauthorized transcriptions of various movements from Beethoven’s music, but that they’re simply not fun, or clever, or interesting. They’re just lame.
The Six Écossaises catalogued as WoO 83 are short and simple and of mysterious origin. They are believed to have existed in orchestral arrangements but only a piano reduction survives. There are several live performances on YouTube.
#Beethoven250 Day 194
6 Écossaises for Piano (WoO 83), c. 1806
Although these écossaises may not be authentic Beethoven, this winner of a Hawai’i Music Teachers Association contest plays them with great élan.