From Italian scherzo 'jest, joke,' possibly from Germanic 'to leap joyfully,' transformed by Beethoven from light diversion to powerful symphonic movement.
A vigorous, lively movement in a symphony or sonata, typically in triple time, often replacing the minuet.
From Italian scherzo 'jest, joke, sport,' from scherzare 'to joke, play,' possibly from a Germanic source related to Old High German scerzon 'to leap joyfully.' Beethoven transformed the scherzo from a light-hearted diversion into a powerful, sometimes fierce movement in his symphonies, beginning with his Second Symphony (1802). Key roots: *(s)ker- (Proto-Germanic: "to leap, spring